Mohamed Salah would represent 'an asset' according to San Diego FC owner Mohamed Mansour
Star forward Salah revealed this week that he plans to depart Anfield at the season's conclusion following an impressive nine year tenure at Liverpool, during which he netted 255 goals and earned a place among the club's legendary figures.
Although a move to Saudi Arabia appears the frontrunner, Salah might opt to join players such as Lionel Messi, Son Heung Min and Antoine Griezmann in the expanding Major League Soccer in the United States.
Should he make that choice, the newly established MLS side San Diego FC, which advanced to the playoff semi finals in its inaugural campaign last year, has been strongly associated with the player, particularly given the involvement of wealthy British Egyptian owner Mansour.
"He ranks among the finest talents in the game right now. Any club or nation acquiring him would undoubtedly benefit greatly," Mansour stated to AFP on Thursday, speaking on the margins of the Business of Football conference in Atlanta.
Mansour avoided confirming whether he is pursuing Salah or has previously explored a potential transfer for the forward.
However, he continued: "Naturally, as an Egyptian by heritage, I take great pride in Mo Salah. He has ascended to global prominence as one of the elite performers."
"Should he choose to move, he would undoubtedly enhance the league, the nation and the club he joins. He is someone of whom I am immensely proud."
During his time at Liverpool, Salah secured two Premier League crowns, a Champions League trophy and further accolades, including a joint record four Golden Boot honours.
He served as the emblem of Jurgen Klopp's transformative era at Anfield, elevating the side to the pinnacle of domestic and continental competition, and remains the most accomplished player ever produced by Egypt, or perhaps the entire continent of Africa.
In a panel session, Mansour noted that the nation of Egypt pauses whenever Salah features on the pitch, and he designated the attacker as his all time favourite footballer.
Salah has faced an unusually challenging campaign at Liverpool, managing only five league strikes, and in December he accused the club of undermining him after a sharp decline in performance led to him being dropped from the starting lineup.
'Opportunity'
Despite his glowing endorsement of Salah, Mansour emphasised that decisions on player signings rest with San Diego FC's sporting director and manager.
"I leave it to the experts" to determine, he explained to AFP.
"I simply highlight, 'Here is a prospect. I believe in it. You handle the evaluation and decide. Report back to me.' If the verdict is 'No, he does not suit us,' regardless of the department, then that concludes the matter."
This approach has yielded strong results to date.
San Diego FC entered the MLS as its 30th franchise last season, following Mansour's collaboration with the Native American Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation to cover a $500 million (£375m) entry cost.
In its debut year, the team shattered the previous mark for points accumulated by a new entrant, reaching 60, and now occupies fourth place in the Western Conference without a single defeat.
Featuring one of the league's youngest rosters, San Diego FC recruits from the Right to Dream international academy system overseen by Mansour, with facilities in Ghana, Egypt and Denmark.
Tottenham and Ghana's Mohammed Kudus counts among the programme's notable graduates.
"Our playing philosophy appeals to me because it emphasises collective endeavour, determination, vitality and a drive to succeed," Mansour remarked.
"Football is inherently a team game. It is not reliant on a single individual."