A surprise MLS club has emerged as the frontrunner for Mo Salah‘s signature if he moves across the Atlantic, as the list of suitors grows for the free agent.
Salah’s future is expected to be resolved in the coming weeks after Egypt’s exit from the World Cup, with clubs in MLS, Saudi Arabia and mainland Europe linked.
According to a report from The Athletic, Sporting Kansas City currently “sits in pole position” to sign Salah if he makes the move to the United States.
Despite remaining “open” to it, a switch to MLS is described as a “long shot” due to intense interest from Saudi clubs and Salah’s preference to remain in Europe.
Sporting’s new majority owner, Peter Mallouk, is the son of Egyptian immigrants, and he is planning an ambitious summer, with moves for Toulouse winger Yann Gboho and Olympiacos’ Andre Luiz worth up to £14.9 million each.
However, the project on the pitch requires a rebuild; Sporting are currently bottom of the Western Conference with 11 points after 14 matches, a position they finished in last season after just seven wins across 34 games.
San Diego FC, who are owned by fellow Egyptian Mohamed Mansour, have also been strongly linked.
But it is clear, then, why MLS is a long shot when you consider Salah’s sporting objectives and wage demands, with the 34-year-old still capable of playing in Europe’s top five leagues.
A move back to Serie A is among his options, with the *Mail*‘s Lewis Steele recently reporting both Roma and Juventus hold an interest, but they too may be inhibited by the finances involved.
Salah is currently back in Egypt after the World Cup, with the team receiving a hero’s welcome following their historic run to the last 16.