MLS Goes Big: Salah, Neymar, and Casemiro Among Major Summer Transfer Targets

MLS Goes Big: Salah, Neymar, and Casemiro Among Major Summer Transfer Targets

Mohamed Salah's departure from Liverpool is no longer speculation—it's happening. And Major League Soccer wants the Egyptian superstar badly enough that league officials have exempted him from the standard discovery process, opening a direct path for San Diego FC to make their case.

San Diego's billionaire owner, Egyptian-British businessman Mohamed Mansour, has played it close to the vest publicly—telling attendees at last month's SBJ Business of Soccer event that Salah "will definitely be an asset"—while behind the scenes, his organization navigates the substantial hurdles between initial discussions and ink on paper. Saudi Arabia's Pro League, with Al Nassr reportedly at the front of the pack, is positioned to table a financial package that San Diego cannot compete with on pure salary alone. Instead, the approach mirrors Lionel Messi's Inter Miami arrangement: ownership equity in the club, a percentage stake in Right to Dream Egypt—Mansour's academy network spanning Africa and the United States—and a legacy proposition that transcends weekly paycheques.

It's an inventive strategy. Whether it proves persuasive remains uncertain. Salah is 32, commanding peak market value, and the Saudi league has demonstrated its ability to attract world-class talent in their prime years. San Diego would also need to resolve its Hirving Lozano complication first—the Mexican attacking midfielder is guaranteed $7.63 million in compensation, has declined to leave, and holds a roster position that a Salah acquisition would almost certainly demand. These challenges aren't insurmountable, but they're far from straightforward.

Neymar to Cincinnati Gains Momentum

Negotiations between FC Cincinnati and representatives for Neymar are active and advancing, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions. The 34-year-old Brazilian has completed the full 90 minutes in each of his past five Santos matches—a calculated fitness demonstration aimed at national team manager Carlo Ancelotti, who will determine his inclusion in Brazil's World Cup roster. Four goals and three assists across 854 minutes this campaign. Not the dominant 2017 model, but serviceable.

Timing presents the primary challenge. Cincinnati's three designated players—Evander, Kévin Denkey, and Miles Robinson—all have active contracts and cannot be quickly repositioned. Denkey has attracted European attention, with Real Betis among the clubs expressing interest, though Cincinnati is seeking more than $20 million to begin negotiations. Given they acquired him for a club-record $16.1 million less than twelve months ago, that valuation isn't unreasonable. If a Neymar arrangement materializes before January, when his Santos deal naturally expires, roster adjustments become mandatory.

Both Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy have also entered the Neymar discussions, highlighting how seriously MLS organizations are approaching this transfer window.

Casemiro, Lewandowski, and the Unlikely Scenarios

The Galaxy possess discovery rights on Casemiro, whose Manchester United contract concludes in June, technically positioning them at the head of the queue. Inter Miami continues to pursue him regardless. Neither club currently has an available designated player slot, but both have demonstrated the salary cap ingenuity—the Galaxy managed it with Zlatan Ibrahimović, Miami executed it with Jordi Alba and Rodrigo De Paul—to construct a financially viable arrangement. The 33-year-old Casemiro, despite a difficult period at United, would immediately rank among the league's top five central midfielders.

Robert Lewandowski to Chicago was genuine at one stage. Sources now indicate it's improbable, partially because the Fire's objectives have evolved, and partially because Lewandowski's Barcelona situation—though uncertain—still includes possibilities in Spain and Serie A. He turns 38 in August, has recorded four La Liga goals in 2026, and told The Athletic last month he isn't "even 50 percent sure" about his preferred direction. Chicago, meanwhile, has Hugo Cuypers contributing six goals across five matches this season. The Fire aren't in crisis mode.

The transfer almost certainly off the table: Bernardo Silva to NYCFC. The Portuguese midfielder is departing Manchester City this summer, and NYCFC would welcome him given the City Football Group affiliation, but sources confirm Silva isn't considering MLS. At 31 and in his prime, he has numerous elite European clubs pursuing him. NYCFC's new stadium launches in 2027—that's when their genuine star recruitment campaign likely commences.

  • Salah to San Diego FC — Active pursuit, significant barriers (Saudi financial power, Lozano contract, roster construction)
  • Neymar to FC Cincinnati — Discussions advancing, roster space required before summer completion possible
  • Casemiro to LA Galaxy — Galaxy lead through discovery rights; Miami remains engaged
  • Lewandowski to Chicago Fire — Now improbable; Fire priorities have shifted
  • Bernardo Silva to NYCFC — Player currently uninterested

MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated publicly that Salah "would be a great player in MLS" immediately following Liverpool's confirmation of his exit. That's the league declaring its ambitions officially. Whether any of these transfers conclude successfully is another matter entirely—but the aspiration is undeniably genuine.