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The chances of Mohamed Salah joining Major League Soccer this summer have increased after Beşiktaş effectively stepped back from their pursuit of the high-profile free agent.
It was back in March when news broke that Salah would be departing Liverpool ahead of schedule. He bid farewell to supporters who had cheered him on for nine years at the close of May, before going on to feature in a landmark World Cup where Egypt made history by advancing to the round of 16.
Yet his next club destination remains undecided, and there is now one fewer option available as Turkish side Beşiktaş have refused to increase their financial offer.
Beşiktaş sporting director Önder Özen told local media that negotiations with Salah's representatives started positively—"everything was smooth"—until financial discussions began following the first three meetings. Roughly a week ago, the money talks brought everything to a standstill.
"Demands started coming in that would both disrupt the flow of communication and create a financial deadlock. I can only assume that a respected player like Salah was not aware of this," Özen said, seemingly directing criticism toward the player's representatives.
Besiktas 'Will Not Make Another Offer'
The bid submitted by Beşiktaş to Salah is regarded as their best and final proposal.
"The club has a set policy, and it cannot stray from that policy. Our president has made his stance very clear and has not moved from it," Özen added.
"I'm not in a position to say yes or no … Beşiktaş's offer, made on its own terms, stands as it is. If a response comes to this offer, it can be considered. But Beşiktaş will not be submitting another offer.
"[Salah's representatives] mentioned they are also in discussions with another club, so perhaps something will come of that. The final offer we made to Salah is the furthest point we can go without compromising Beşiktaş's club values."
Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı had already spoken out publicly on the situation in an attempt to apply pressure. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the Süper Lig club is fighting an uphill battle.
Sporting Kansas City Awaits First Ever Superstar
Sporting Kansas City emerged as the frontrunner among MLS clubs for Salah nearly three weeks ago, with a reported "lucrative" two-year contract offer still awaiting a reply.
SKC has been part of MLS since the league's first season in 1996, when the club was known as the Kansas City Wiz. The team has never had a genuine world-class superstar in its squad. Nevertheless, ambition runs high — the club even made moves to sign Cristiano Ronaldo when he became available after leaving Manchester United at the end of 2022, leveraging their MLS Discovery Rights. At the time, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano described the salary package offered to Ronaldo in Kansas City as "huge."
There is still an open Designated Player slot on the 2026 SKC roster, with that designation currently held only by midfielder Manu García and forward Dejan Joveljić. Neither commands significant wages, even by MLS standards — García is guaranteed just over $2.4 million in 2026, while Joveljić earns $3.3 million.
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During his final campaign at Liverpool, Salah was estimated to be earning the equivalent of $28 million annually. Across all of MLS today, only Lionel Messi's guaranteed compensation reaches that level. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas revealed earlier in 2026 that Messi actually takes home around $80 million per year, highlighting the various financial avenues available to attract global stars.
Back in January, reports indicated that an MLS-record $700 million deal was transferring majority ownership of SKC to financial advisor and wealth management billionaire Peter Mallouk, the son of Egyptian immigrants.