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With Mohamed Salah's departure from Liverpool FC now official, the conversation has shifted from if Salah leaves Europe — to where he goes next. And while the usual suspects in the Saudi Pro League will undoubtedly circle, there is a very real, and often overlooked, pathway that leads directly to San Diego.
Major League Soccer wants him. That much is clear.
MLS commissioner Don Garber didn’t hold back when speaking about the Egyptian star’s potential move stateside.
“I couldn’t say that until he announced that he was leaving Liverpool,” Garber said. “But what a great player he would be in MLS. And I think we would provide him with a great platform.”
That “platform” has been growing year-to-year. MLS is becoming a league where global stars arrive with purpose, rather to simply retire. Lionel Messi changed the perception. Others followed. Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul, Son Heung-min, James Rodriguez, Antoine Griezmann, and Thomas Müller are part of a growing wave of elite names choosing MLS not just for lifestyle, but for relevance.
Salah fits into that evolution — and San Diego FC might be the club best positioned to maximize it.
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Identity of the Club
SDFC’s Right to Dream model emphasizes verticality, space exploitation, and relentless attacking intent — principles that mirror Salah’s strengths. Few players in world football are more dangerous in transition, more clinical in open space, or more consistent in high-tempo systems. It's hard to imagine Salah would find it hard to integrate.
Notably, SDFC's current star player – Anders Dreyer, plays on the right wing, which is a position that Salah is most comfortable in. If SDFC were to make a splash for the Egyptian superstar, Dreyer would most likely move into the center attacking midfield position where he can create chances and combine with Salah.
The obvious obstacle in moving a high-ranking player like Salah anywhere is his salary. While it will be difficult for MLS to compete with Saudi Arabian contract offers but San Diego FC could have added flexibility if a rumored summer departure for Hirving Lozano materializes, potentially freeing up significant resources.
Lozano's contract currently has him in San Diego until 2028. During that time, he is owed $7,633,333 per year. If SDFC were to move at least some of his approx. $30.5 million dollar contract, that would help significantly with bringing Salah over in the same timeframe and replacing the DP position.
The Ownership Factor
San Diego FC is backed by Mohamed Mansour, one of the most influential Egyptian figures in global business. The cultural and national connection is impossible to ignore. For a player like Salah — who carries the weight of a nation — that alignment matters.
If Salah is seeking more than just the highest offer on the table, he would have a chance to be a part of something truly special and unique. The Right to Dream academy in Egypt can benefit greatly from Salah's footprint. He can leave a mark not just as a player, but as a mentor and symbol of possibility — helping shape the next generation of Egyptian talent through direct involvement, global visibility, and a pathway that connects local prospects to the international stage.
Of course, there are obstacles.
Reports, including from Tom Bogert, indicate that no active talks have taken place between Salah and San Diego FC. Other MLS clubs, along with international suitors, will also push for his signature. At 33, Salah will have to weigh financial incentives, competitive level, and lifestyle in equal measure.
But to dismiss San Diego outright would be a mistake.
The MLS Appeal
MLS is evolving. The league’s planned calendar shift in 2027, aligning more closely with global competitions, signals long-term ambition. Garber himself emphasized the importance of competing on the same stage as the rest of the world — a shift that will only make moves like this more viable.
And then there’s the simple reality: MLS makes room for stars.
“Obviously, if he ever decides to come to Major League Soccer, we’d welcome him with open arms,” Garber said. “I’d say he should reach out to Leo and reach out to Thomas Müller and see how happy they’ve been… and how much they’ve really embraced being in Major League Soccer.”
San Diego FC may not be the loudest name in the race — yet. But they check boxes others can’t: style, ownership alignment, market potential, and a blank canvas for a global icon to define a franchise.
Salah to San Diego is more than just a dream scenario, it's a move that makes sense.
