Salah’s future uncertain as Sporting KC emerges as MLS suitor
Mohamed Salah, the 34-year-old former Liverpool forward, is reportedly facing challenges in his potential move to the Saudi Pro League due to his financial demands. Clubs are said to be hesitant to meet his terms. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City has emerged as a primary suitor for Salah in the MLS, as the club pursues an ambitious summer transfer strategy.
While a move to the MLS is considered a longshot given the strong interest from the Saudi Pro League, Salah is reportedly open to the idea, though he prefers to remain in Europe. He announced his departure from Liverpool after a significant period with the Premier League club. Sporting KC’s new majority owner, Peter Mallouk, whose parents are Egyptian immigrants, is reportedly keen on bringing the Egyptian star to the club.
Transfer Market Activity
In other transfer news, Bayern Munich has reportedly informed Real Madrid that Michael Olise, their 24-year-old France forward, is not available for transfer this summer. Additionally, Borussia Dortmund and Germany attacker Karim Adeyemi, 24, is reportedly moving to Barcelona.
Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly competing for 25-year-old RB Leipzig and Netherlands defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who was on loan at Sunderland last season. Manchester City and Tottenham are reportedly interested in Portuguese winger Francisco Trincao, 26, and could potentially intercept his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli from Sporting.
Barcelona is also reportedly planning to intensify efforts to sign Atletico Madrid and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, 26, after this summer’s World Cup. Hull City has reportedly submitted a bid for Mjallby midfielder and Swedish World Cup star Elliot Stroud, 24.
Club Ambitions and Other Deals
Sporting KC is also pursuing other high-profile players. The team is reportedly working on potential deals for Toulouse winger Yann Gboho, 25, and Olympiacos winger Andre Luiz, 24. Negotiations for Luiz are reportedly more advanced than for Gboho. Both potential deals are described as among the most expensive in MLS history.
Manchester United is reportedly looking to sign two more midfielders after completing a deal for 22-year-old Chelsea and Brazil international Andrey Santos. The club is also in search of a goalkeeper to compete with 24-year-old Belgian Senne Lammens, and could consider 26-year-old Paraguayan Orlando Gill, who reportedly has a release clause at Argentine side San Lorenzo.
Greece centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos, 28, is attracting interest from several Premier League teams and clubs across Europe following his performance at relegated West Ham. Como is hoping to sign Colombia defender Davison Sanchez, 30, but may be deterred by Galatasaray’s asking price. Newcastle United’s chances of acquiring 23-year-old England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City have reportedly increased, as Aston Villa, a potential rival, aims to retain their number one, 33-year-old Argentine Emiliano Martinez. However, Chelsea is also reportedly interested in Trafford.
New Benfica boss Marco Silva reportedly wants to sign his former Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, 31, with a bid being prepared to bring the Portugal international from Bayern Munich following his loan at Tottenham last season. Salah’s final year at Liverpool reportedly coincided with a breakdown in his relationship with the team’s now former head coach Arne Slot.
Salah had a disappointing 2025-26 season for Liverpool, recording seven goals and seven assists in 2,150 Premier League minutes. This followed his 2024-25 season, where he contributed 29 goals and 18 assists in 3,380 league minutes, helping Liverpool to the title. His departure from the English club after a nine-year tenure was announced in March.
Sporting KC is currently in a transitional season, marking a new era after the departure of former chief soccer officer and head coach Peter Vermes, and a change in majority ownership. The new chief soccer officer, David Lee, is focused on developing the club’s sporting infrastructure and overhauling a roster that has not kept pace with the league in recent years. Rapha Wicky was appointed head coach this winter, and despite a slow start, the team showed more competitiveness in the games leading up to the MLS’s World Cup break. Sporting KC currently sits at the bottom of the Western Conference with 11 points after 14 matches.
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Source: bbc.com
