Saudi Arabia, MLS or One Last European Adventure: Where Does Salah Go Next?

Mohamed Salah is one of the most decorated free agents in football history and every major league on the planet wants him. The question is where he actually ends up.

The Saudi Pro League is the most obvious and lucrative route. Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah have all been linked, and the financial packages on offer would comfortably exceed anything available in Europe. Al Ittihad made a £150 million verbal approach for Salah two years ago when he was still under contract. He turned it down then. He is 33 now and the contract he is vacating at Anfield was reportedly worth between £350,000 and £400,000 per week. The Saudi clubs could match and significantly exceed that.

Al Qadsiah, managed by Brendan Rodgers, are among those understood to have shown concrete interest. The club are preparing for a new stadium that will host matches at the 2034 World Cup and want a marquee signing to launch it. Rodgers has specifically requested a right winger. Salah is as good a fit as exists anywhere in the world.

MLS has also moved publicly. Commissioner Don Garber said at the Sports Business Journal event in Atlanta: "I would love to see him in our league. I couldn't say that until he announced he was leaving Liverpool. What a great player he would be." San Diego FC, whose lead owner is Egyptian businessman Sir Mohamed Mansour, was specifically asked about a move. An ESPN source said they are "not at the moment" working on a deal, but the connection is impossible to ignore.

Real Madrid have been mentioned historically but the reality is stark. They have traditionally refused multi-year contracts for players over 30, and Salah at 34 next year would represent a fundamental change in their recruitment policy. There is no indication they are interested.

Barcelona have also been floated, but their financial situation makes a deal on Salah's wage expectations implausible without significant player sales first.

The most likely outcome is Saudi Arabia, with Salah using the World Cup in North America this summer as a potential final flourish in the international spotlight before heading east. His final Premier League appearance at Anfield against Brentford on May 24 will be the send-off he deserves.