Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool has reached a moment of real uncertainty.
The Egyptian forward shocked the football world on Saturday night after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, when he stopped in the mixed zone and publicly claimed the club had “thrown him under the bus”. It was an explosive remark — and one that immediately cast doubt on his long-term future at Anfield.
The trigger for his frustration appears to be his recent exclusion from the starting XI. The Leeds match marked the third consecutive game in which Salah was left out of the starting lineup, something he said had never happened before in his career. He went on to admit that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down, adding that Liverpool’s upcoming game against Brighton & Hove Albion could potentially be his last for the club. In the days that followed, Salah was withdrawn from the squad that travelled to Milan for the Champions League tie against Inter, despite his importance to the team.
Salah has been central to Liverpool’s identity and success for eight years, becoming one of the world’s most prolific forwards. His fourth-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings — after a season in which he contributed 34 goals and 23 assists — underlined his continued relevance at the highest level. His time at Liverpool has yielded two Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup and the Club World Cup — an era many fans would describe as golden.
Yet there is now a very real possibility that Salah has already played his final match for the club.
Sources familiar with the situation believe his outburst was either a deliberate attempt to force a move away from Anfield or a strategy meant to apply pressure on Slot, who is already under scrutiny after Liverpool’s poor league campaign.
Liverpool’s current stance is firm: they do not want to sell. Club executives point out that Salah is under contract until 2027 and insist his recent absence from the starting XI was temporary. Privately, though, there is confusion over how rapidly tensions have escalated. The club now wants Salah to reveal his intentions clearly — if he seeks a move, he must explain what he wants and how Liverpool should proceed.
So if Salah does leave, what realistic options could await him?
Saudi Arabia
The most obvious market is Saudi Arabia, which has become a major destination for elite players in the later stages of their careers. The league already boasts Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum. Al Ittihad, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), attempted to sign Salah in 2023. Although Liverpool rejected their approach, that episode helped establish a relationship between player and club.
A January move is unlikely because Al Ittihad currently lack the squad space, and Benzema remains their marquee forward. That could change in the summer if Benzema departs. Al Ittihad’s cultural and geographical proximity to Egypt also makes them a compelling destination.
Al Hilal, the most successful Saudi club, also admire Salah, though they too would need to free up room in their squad before making a formal move. Al Qadsiah have the finances and space to bid, but lack the prestige that might attract a player of Salah’s profile. NEOM SC are ambitious but geographically remote, which may weaken their appeal.
United States
Major League Soccer represents another possible destination, though interest there is less concrete. San Diego FC, owned by the British-Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour, would theoretically be positioned to make a move, but sources say Salah is not a realistic target for January. Inter Miami, despite boasting Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, are not considering a move for Salah at present. The Chicago Fire remain keen on signing a global star and have pursued big names before, but turning that ambition into a feasible deal for Salah appears uncertain.
Staying in Europe
If Salah hopes to continue in Europe’s top leagues, his options become limited.
Spain’s giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid, once monitored Salah, especially during his contract stand-off with Liverpool in 2021-22. Barcelona’s financial situation makes such a signing nearly impossible now. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have strengthened significantly in attack and would not commit a huge fee to a 33-year-old forward.
Italy, where Salah enjoyed excellent spells with Fiorentina and Roma, is unlikely to provide a realistic destination either. Serie A clubs currently lack the financial strength to fund both the transfer fee and wages required for a player of Salah’s calibre. Juventus, Milan and Inter are all tightening budgets, not expanding them.
France and England
Paris Saint-Germain have shifted away from signing superstar veterans and are instead building around younger players.
Within the Premier League, Salah joining another English club would risk damaging his Liverpool legacy, and financial constraints would make such a move difficult even for the league’s wealthiest teams.
Despite all this uncertainty, one thing remains clear: Salah’s global commercial appeal is enormous. Any club that signs him would gain not just an elite forward, but a global icon with a massive following. For that reason alone, his next move — whether in Europe or beyond — will be one of the most closely watched decisions in world football.