Inter Miami are apparently keen on bringing Mohamed Salah to MLS, eyeing up a reunion with Lionel Messi. But the path to snagging the Liverpool star, who’s set to be a free agent come summer 2026, looks like a tough climb. There’s a real big hurdle here: Salah’s wage demands, they’re just huge. And it could mess with Miami’s whole financial setup, according to Football Insider 247.
It’s not just Miami wrestling with this either. Plenty of Saudi Pro League clubs are in the mix, and they’re reportedly in a much stronger position. No one’s officially announced anything, mind you. All the talk is still just speculation, centered around his contract status. His time at Anfield looks like it’s drawing to a close, with Liverpool already lining up replacements.
The Miami Dream: A Star Reunion or Just a Fantasy?
David Beckham, he’s a key figure for Inter Miami. He’s probably dreaming of Salah linking up with Messi, maybe even Javier Mascherano if those rumors are true. That kind of star power would be massive for MLS, easily rivaling Messi’s impact from 2023.
But dreams hit reality fast. The MLS salary cap is a thing, you know? It limits what clubs can spend on wages. Salah’s demands, after leaving Liverpool for free, they’d break that cap. Miami would have to convince him to take a pay cut, or get super creative with their funding. It’s a huge financial challenge, way bigger than just signing another player.
And San Diego FC, they’re another MLS team mentioned as a suitor. So it’s not like Miami is the only option stateside. But the wage issue, that’s the real blocker for any MLS team.
Saudi Arabia Holds the Cards, For Now
Right now, the smart money seems to be on the Saudi Pro League. They’re increasingly confident they’ll get Salah this summer. Talks have picked up recently, and it looks like some terms are “more or less already agreed” from previous attempts, as reported by Yardbarker, citing TEAMtalk. His agent’s even been told he’s free to pick a club within the league. That signals things are pretty advanced.
Saudi clubs don’t really have the same financial fair play worries as MLS teams. They can offer “mega-money” deals, which puts them way ahead of Miami in that department. There was some talk about geopolitical risks, like the Middle East conflict, possibly making Salah hesitant about Saudi Arabia. But that’s just a Tier 4 rumor, and the reports of Saudi confidence are stronger.
Other European clubs, like FC Barcelona and PSG, they’ve shown interest too. Salah has plenty of options, as Sports Illustrated archives hint. It’s not a two-horse race, but Saudi’s definitely leading.
Liverpool Already Looking Past Salah
Liverpool, they’re not sitting around waiting. They expect Salah to leave this summer. And they’re already busy shortlisting replacements. ESPN reported they’re eyeing Juventus’ Francisco Conceição, a €25M+ target. They’re also reportedly targeting RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who could fetch a €100M fee, according to World Soccer Talk. That’s a serious chunk of change for a successor.
Replacing Salah is gonna be an “impossible task” for Liverpool, some pundits say. He’s 33, but he’s still a top performer. Even in what some called his “worst” season, he still bagged 10 goals and 9 assists. So, yeah, Liverpool’s preparing for life without him.
The Summer Transfer Showdown Approaches
Salah’s free agency in summer 2026 makes him a hot commodity. He doesn’t have a transfer fee, which makes his wage demands even more critical for clubs. For Inter Miami, this whole situation boils down to whether they can twist his arm on the money. He’d have to take less than what Saudi clubs are offering, and that’s a big ask for a player of his caliber.
It’s gonna be a fascinating transfer saga to watch. Will Salah chase a new challenge and a reunion with Messi in the MLS? Or will he take the mega-deal from Saudi Arabia, securing his financial future even further? The summer window is still a bit away, but the groundwork is being laid now. And Miami’s got a mountain to climb if they want their man.
