San Diego FC’s owner Mohamed Mansour has insisted he would be open to signing Mohamed Salah this summer.
However, he has revealed it will not be just himself that will make the decision over whether the Egyptian joins the MLS side from Liverpool.
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Salah will become a free agent at the end of the current Premier League season.
The 33-year-old confirmed on Tuesday that he would be leaving the Reds after nine trophy-laden years at Anfield.
Despite his contract not expiring until 2027, Liverpool have agreed to allow Salah to depart on a free transfer 12 months early.
A move to the MLS or Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad are options for the winger, eSPORTY understands.
Better Call Sal
The MLS’ newest outfit, San Diego, have already thrown their hat into the ring for his signature.
Owner Mansour has confirmed he is interested in bringing Salah to the Snapdragon Stadium.
The British-Egyptian billionaire has admitted the transfer would be reliant on whether he fits their style of play, though.
Speaking to eSPORTY’s Ben Jacobs, Mansour was asked if he is interested in signing Salah, to which he replied: “I would think any team around the world would be interested.
“He’s a great player, he’s a great professional, he’s maintained his athleticism and his professionalism.
“But the way we manage San Diego Football Club, like any business I manage, I have people that are responsible.
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“In the management, we have Tyler Heaps, who’s a great sporting director, we have Mikey Varas, who’s a great coach – they’re the ones that will decide these things.
“Of course, we have to see how the fit is with the style of play we have.
“He’s done amazing things for Liverpool. If you go anywhere in the Middle East, not even Egypt, you’ll see Liverpool shirts with Mo Salah on the back. He’s world class.
“As an Egyptian, my origin is Egyptian, I’m a British citizen now, I’m proud to be British also, it means a lot to me to see somebody that has maintained that level of professionalism.”
Could San Diego sign Salah?
Asked if he would explore the deal if it was up to him, Mansour added: “If I had a vote as a fan, yes, I would. But the decision… it’s a business.
“Sports today, people think it’s a ball and people running, no. We employ 180 people. So any decision that’s made has got to make sense. It’s got to fit with the style of play we have.
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“There are many, many challenges, but any business has a challenge.
“So would we be honoured to have somebody like (Salah) and happy to have (him)? Of course, like anybody, I would be.
“But the decision is corporate. The decision is business. The decision is the fit and the style of play.
“We have the ‘Right to Dream’ style of play, which is different. That’s why our style of play is different. Whether this fits or that fits, it has to fit.”
San Diego, who were founded in 2023, contested their inaugural MLS season last year.
Mikey Varas’ side went on to win the Western Conference being losing at the conference finals stage of the MLS play-offs.
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His squad already includes the likes of Mexico international Hirving Lozano and Scotland’s Lewis Morgan.
As for Salah, his ten goals this season have taken his tally to 255 in 435 appearances for Liverpool.
Those figures make him the club’s all-time highest-scoring non-British player, with his goals seeing him scoop the Premier League Golden Boot gong four times.
Salah has also won nine trophies with the Reds, including the Champions League and two Premier League titles.
