MLS

Mohamed Salah to MLS? New team in pole position for shock transfer

The ex-Liverpool star has been tipped to move to the United States this summer, following Antoine Griezmann and Robert Lewandowski.

Mohamed Abdel Ghany
Journalist, AS USA
A journalist, soccer fanatic and Shrewsbury Town fan, Will’s love for the game has withstood countless playoff final losses. After graduating from the University of Liverpool he wrote for a number of British publications before joining AS USA in 2020. His work focuses on the Premier League, LaLiga, MLS, Liga MX and the global game.
Update:

Mohamed Salah is a major summer target for Sporting Kansas City, the latest MLS team to be linked with the Egyptian star. Salah is currently a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season.

The Athletic reports that Sporting Kansas City have emerged as a potential landing spot for Salah as the team aims to overhaul the squad this summer. Any MLS club interested in Salah will face major competition from the Saudi Pro League, but Sporting KC are thought to be ahead of the pack in MLS.

New Kansas City majority owner Peter Mallouk - the son of Egyptian immigrants - appears eager to make a statement this summer. The Western Conference team are also reportedly working on deals for Toulouse winger Yann Gboho and Andre Luiz of Olympiacos. Both players could cost up to $20 million each, close to the MLS incoming record of $24 million (Son Heung-min to LAFC).

Who has Salah’s discovery rights?

The concept of ‘discovery rights’ for a 34-year-old superstar such as Salah may seem bizarre, but big-name transfers in MLS often involve this mechanisms. The team with discovery rights has first chance to negotiate with potential signings, but the rights can be transferred to other teams for a fee.

As it stands, San Diego FC have Salah’s discovery rights. Owned by Egyptian-British billionaire Mohamed Mansour, San Diego had seemed like a likely landing spot for Salah if he were to choose MLS.

But with Sporting KC looking to bolster a squad that sits bottom of the Western Conference, Salah would help to bring immediate results. The team already has two Designated Players - Dejan Jovelic and Manu Garcia - so can add a third this summer. Salah would be a statement addition for a struggling team.

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