Mohamed Salah has left Liverpool. Nine seasons, four Golden Boots, two Premier League titles, a Champions League. Now he's weighing his next move — and according to The Athletic, Sporting Kansas City have emerged as MLS's leading candidate to sign him.
Don't get too excited, Kansas City. The same report describes an MLS landing as "a long shot." The Saudi Pro League has heavy interest, and Salah himself would rather stay in Europe. MLS sits third in his own preference order, which tells you everything about where this is probably heading.
Why Kansas City, of all places
The Sporting KC angle isn't completely random. Majority owner Peter Mallouk has Egyptian heritage, and that cultural connection is being floated as a genuine selling point in recruitment conversations. It's a smart pitch. Whether it's enough to beat Saudi money is a different question entirely.
Salah arrives at this crossroads off a World Cup that quietly reminded everyone he still has something left. Two assists, one goal for Egypt — numbers that look modest until you consider the context. Egypt beat New Zealand for their first-ever World Cup win. They beat Australia on penalties in the Round of 32. They led Argentina 2-0 in the Round of 16 before Messi dragged the defending champions back to a 3-2 win.
That last result hurt. But the run itself — Egypt's best in history — was built around Salah's leadership as much as his output. He was everywhere on the pitch when it mattered.
What comes next
After the Argentina defeat, Salah posted on X: "I know you're still upset, but I promise you that I'll do everything in my power to ensure this marks a fresh start for Egyptian football on the international stage. Qualifying for the World Cup won't be enough, and just participating won't cut it either."
That's a man with unfinished business internationally. Where he plays his club football next will shape how fit, sharp, and motivated he is when Egypt's next qualifying campaign begins. A move to MLS would suit his legs. Saudi Arabia suits his bank account. Europe suits his ambitions.
Right now, Saudi Arabia is winning — and that's before they've even made a formal offer.
