Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool, but where could he move next?

It’s the end of an era: Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years, a litany of records and multiple major trophies.

His impact on Liverpool can hardly be overstated. He joined the team in 2016 when Liverpool were still waiting for a league title. What followed – lifting the Premier League in 2019-20 and 2024-25, as well as the Champions League in 2018-19 – will be remembered forever on Merseyside.

However, once this chapter closes, where could Salah head next? ESPN correspondents around the world tried to find out.

Having lured Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Pro League certainly sees itself as a viable destination for Salah.

As one of the highest paid players in the Premier League, it will take a significant financial package to tempt him anywhere. The SPL is one of the few leagues that can afford it – and make up for some of the lost revenue by forfeiting the final year of his Liverpool contract.

Sources in Saudi Arabia have told ESPN that the feeling in the country is that Al Ittihad are the club most likely to become the favorite for his signature. They made a failed $200 million bid for Salah in September 2023, then lost Benzema to Al Hilal in the last transfer window. ESPN reported on Wednesday that Al Ittihad had already resumed its search for a deal.

Al Qadsiah, managed by Brendan Rodgers, is considered another option. Rodgers, who left Liverpool just over 18 months before Salah’s arrival, specifically requested a right winger. On top of that, Al Qadsiah is keen to sign a superstar before the opening of its new stadium towards the end of the year, a venue which is expected to host World Cup matches in 2034.

ESPN sources said Al Diriyah and Al Ula could also show interest in Salah if they gain promotion to the SPL. But as things stand, Al Hilal, who signed Benzema in February, are considered unlikely to challenge the Egypt international. —Rob Dawson

Where else could he go?

play

Could Liverpool sign Kvaratskhelia or Olise to replace Salah?

Craig Burley debates who Liverpool could sign to replace Mohamed Salah.

BARCELONA

Not long ago, Salah would have been too good for a rebuilding Barcelona to turn down. Ilkay Gündogan and Sergio Aguero were among the highest-profile free transfer arrivals in recent years, but club sources have told ESPN the plan is aimed at younger players this summer. Lamine Yamal occupies Salah’s preferred position on the right wing, while Raphinha starts on the other flank.

Sources have told ESPN that reinforcements are being sought on the wing to support those two – Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, remains an option, if not someone younger – while a new striker is also being sought, as reported by ESPN this week. However, Salah is not being considered for any of these roles given the level of salary he would get. -Sam Marsden

REAL MADRID

Madrid have long been touted as a potential next step for Salah should he ever leave Anfield, but that was some time ago. There is no indication he would be a target this summer. Madrid are able to sign elite talent on free transfers – think Kylian Mbappé, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba – but these players were not 34 when they arrived at the Bernabéu. The club is traditionally reluctant to offer multi-year contracts to players over 30, let alone stars with Salah’s likely salary demands, so a move from them would represent a radical change in policy.

It has been suggested that Madrid will look to bring in experienced players this summer to complement some of their young talent and make up for some expected departures, but it is more likely that this will happen in midfield or defense. A move for Salah would be a huge surprise. -Alex Kirkland

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Like Madrid, PSG had been flirting with the dream of signing Salah for many years. Club president Nasser Al Khelaifi has tried to achieve this on several occasions and he knows Salah’s agent well. However, times have changed. PSG is no longer an option for Salah given his age and salary demands.

The club has moved away from veteran star names and has instead placed more faith in its generation of young stars, which helped it win the Champions League title last season. For several reasons, Salah no longer corresponds to the PSG project. –Julien Laurens

GALATASARAY

Galatasaray has been rumored to be a potential landing spot since Salah’s public announcement. However, a source has told ESPN that the Turkish club have not discussed a Salah transfer, with a deal highly unlikely given they pushed the boat out to sign Leroy Sané from Bayern Munich last summer. -Dawson

Is Major League Soccer an option? If yes, where?

INTER MIAMI

Inter Miami do not have an open Designated Player spot at the moment to offer Salah, as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and latest signing Germán Berterame occupy all three positions.

Although De Paul initially joined Inter Miami on loan in the middle of the MLS season with no DP spot available at the time, that same path is not viable for Salah at the moment. The Argentine midfielder arrived just months before former Designated Player Sergio Busquets’ contract expired, allowing De Paul to replace the Spaniard on the roster at the end of the season.

Once the campaign ended, Inter Miami automatically triggered De Paul’s clause to make the contract permanent under the new DP position. Salah’s departure from Liverpool, however, comes at a difficult time for Inter Miami to reshuffle the DPs. Messi recently signed a contract extension until 2028, while De Paul and Berterame’s deals extend through the 2028-2029 MLS season. -Lizzy Becherano

REST OF THE MLS

If MLS commissioner Don Garber has his way, Salah would be playing in MLS tomorrow. Speaking at Sports Business Journal’s Business of Soccer event in Atlanta, Garber said he “would love to see [Salah] in our league. I couldn’t say that until he announced he was leaving Liverpool,” Garber said. “But what a great player he would be in MLS. And I think we would provide a great platform for him.”

Where Salah might end up is another question entirely, although no MLS team has confirmed they are pursuing the Egypt international. An ESPN source said San Diego FC, whose main owner is Egyptian businessman Sir Mohamed Mansour, is “not working at the moment” on a deal to bring Salah to SDFC. The same was true for the Chicago Fire – who have pursued players like Neymar in the past – with a source telling ESPN that there was “nothing concrete” in terms of a possible pursuit of Salah.

LAFC declined to comment on the situation, although they appear to be constrained by their commitment to an approach of signing two designated players and four under-22 initiative signings that would prevent them from going after Salah. However, that could change later this summer when Salah becomes available. –Jeff Carlisle