NYCFC open up on potential interest in Mohamed Salah

Atlanta—New York City FC chief executive Brad Sims has confirmed that the club has not yet approached Mohamed Salah or his representatives about a move to Major League Soccer, even as speculation mounts that the Egyptian star could be headed stateside once his Liverpool contract expires at the end of the current season.

Speaking on the sidelines of the SBJ Business of Soccer conference, Sims told reporters that while he would welcome the 32-year-old winger to the Big Apple, no formal dialogue has taken place.

“I would love to have Mo Salah. We have not had any discussions with him or his people,” Sims said, according to Give Me Sport. “What is most important is does the player want to come to MLS and be in New York City. We are not going to go out and sell someone on New York, the league or our club. We want players who really want to be here.”

The comments came hours after The Athletic floated NYCFC as a plausible landing spot for Salah, citing a club source who would not “rule out” the possibility once Etihad Park—the club’s soccer-specific stadium currently under construction in Queens—opens its doors in the summer of 2027. The timing of the report coincided with NYCFC’s topping-off ceremony for the venue, a milestone that marks the completion of the steel framework.

Sims downplayed the notion that a marquee signing is essential to christen the new building, though he acknowledged the upside.

“Would it be helpful? Of course,” he said. “I think the direction the league is going in is really exciting, with the change in calendar aligning with the top leagues in the world. That will bring more opportunity and more interest in major signings across the league. So, is it a non-negotiable? Do we absolutely need it? In my opinion, no. Will it help take our club to the next level? Yes.”

The CEO reiterated the club’s long-standing recruitment philosophy, stressing that cultural fit outweighs star power.

“We need the guys who are going to be the hardest trainers, good teammates and good for the locker room and the culture,” he said, echoing previous remarks made by sporting director Todd Dunivant.

Elsewhere in MLS, The Athletic reports that neither San Diego FC nor the Chicago Fire are actively pursuing Salah for the summer transfer window, leaving the door open for other suitors—potentially including NYCFC—to make a play should the player express genuine interest in relocating to North America.

MLS commissioner Don Garber welcomed the prospect of adding Salah to the league’s growing list of global talents, telling reporters that MLS “would provide him with a great platform.”

For now, however, the ball remains firmly in Salah’s court, and New York City FC is content to wait for a signal that the former Premier League Golden Boot winner is ready to trade Anfield for the five boroughs.