MLS
Inter Miami Not Pursuing Mohamed Salah, Romano Says
Inter Miami are not pursuing Mohamed Salah, Fabrizio Romano says, and the club is not in negotiations
Reports linking Mohamed Salah to Inter Miami have been emphatically rejected by those close to the club and to the story. Fabrizio Romano used his YouTube channel on Friday to clarify the situation, saying the Miami outfit are not currently working on a deal for the departing Liverpool forward.
The wider context is well known: Salah has been associated with both Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League in recent weeks, a tug of war for the 33-year-old. MLS is not able to match the financial power of the Saudi competition, but it has become a destination for established stars late in their careers, headlined by Lionel Messi.
MLS commissioner Don Garber offered his view at the Sports Business Journal conference in Atlanta, saying, “Mo Salah is one of the great players in the history of the Premier League … I’d love to see him in our league.” He added, “I couldn’t say that until he announced he was leaving Liverpool. What a great player he would be in MLS, and I think we would provide him with a great platform.”
Still, Romano was clear about Inter Miami’s position. “Guys, let me clarify this very clearly: Inter Miami are not in negotiations to sign Mo Salah,” he said. “Despite reports, despite stories, Inter Miami are not focusing their efforts on Mohamed Salah.” Romano also noted the wider uncertainty around Salah’s next move: “That means we will have a lot of reports, a lot of stories, but Mohamed Salah has not made a decision.”
Salah remains contracted to Liverpool until 2027, but he will depart the club as a free agent at the end of the season, with his final Premier League appearance at Anfield on May 24. As a free agent, any approach will come directly to the player rather than through Liverpool, which is likely to generate continued speculation. For now, despite talk of a blockbuster partnership with Messi at Inter Miami, the reports of active negotiations are unfounded.
International
Referees’ Pay: How World Cup Match Fees Compare with Top League Salaries
World Cup refs can earn up to $100,000 in five weeks; Premier League refs earn $227,000-$240,000 vs.
Referees have long pursued World Cup appointments with the same ambition players show for international selection. Officiating at the game’s biggest tournament is paid work rather than voluntary service, and the compensation on offer at the 2026 World Cup is substantial.
The Times report that officials at this summer’s tournament can earn up to $100,000, with additional bonuses for taking charge of matches in the latter stages. The maximum sum will be collected by the official who referees the final. That figure represents a clear rise on 2014, when referees earned about half of what is on offer this year.
The composition of the refereeing panel has drawn attention. The majority of referees at the 2026 World Cup hail from UEFA, although last season’s Champions League final referee Daniel Siebert of Germany has been curiously overlooked. Just under 29% are European. There are nine referees from Concacaf, including Tori Penso and Ismail Elfath from the United States. César Arturo Ramos and Katia Itzel García represent Mexico, while Drew Fischer is the only Canadian official named.
The World Cup is a concentrated payday for officials because the top fees are delivered over a short window. By contrast, Premier League referees are paid $227,000 to $240,000 across a full campaign lasting nine months. Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver are the Premier League representatives at the tournament, with Video Assistant Referee Jarred Gillett also included.
La Liga pay structures differ. As of 2024, data provided by The Athletic show La Liga referees receive an approximate fixed annual salary of $157,000, with about $5,375 paid per match and roughly $29,000 for image rights.
Those figures underline how a World Cup assignment can equal or surpass season-long earnings elsewhere because of the condensed schedule and match bonuses available at the international tournament.
Analytics & Stats
Club Valuations 2026: Ranking the World’s Top 30 Soccer Teams
Forbes’ 2026 valuations show European clubs lead, MLS gains ground with four franchises rising 2026
Forbes’ 2026 valuations list the 30 most valuable soccer clubs, with European heavyweights dominating and MLS making significant inroads. Eleven Premier League sides and seven Major League Soccer teams feature among the top 30.
At the summit Real Madrid lead the market at $9.5 billion, followed by Barcelona at $7.5 billion and Manchester United at $7.2 billion. Liverpool sit at $6.2 billion, Paris Saint-Germain at $5.8 billion and Bayern Munich at $5.7 billion. Manchester City and Arsenal are close together at $5.5 billion and $5.4 billion respectively, with City only $100 million ahead of Arsenal. Chelsea are valued at $4.2 billion and Tottenham Hotspur at $3 billion.
Further down the table Atlético Madrid are 11th at $2.95 billion, Juventus 12th at $2.4 billion, Borussia Dortmund 13th at $2.2 billion, AC Milan 14th at $1.85 billion and Inter 15th at $1.8 billion. The report notes Inter still trail AC Milan despite higher revenue, and Juventus remain ahead at $2.4 billion despite on-pitch struggles.
Aston Villa have recorded a striking 56% growth to $1.4 billion, boosted by Champions League qualification and the work of Unai Emery, making them England’s most valuable club outside the traditional Big Six. Newcastle United are 19th.
MLS representation includes Inter Miami ($1.35 billion), LAFC ($1.32 billion), LA Galaxy ($1.08 billion), Atlanta United ($1 billion) and New York City FC ($1.02 billion). Austin FC and Seattle Sounders enter the list but remain below the $1 billion mark at $855 million and $860 million respectively. The draft highlights that LA clubs and Inter Miami have all seen value increases.
Across Europe, Benfica ($960 million) and Roma ($940 million) occupy mid-table positions, while Stuttgart continue their resurgence at $880 million, now Germany’s third-most valuable club. Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Everton rank 27th to 25th and sit just under the $1 billion threshold.
The 2026 rankings underline the financial gulf inside the top tier, while also showing MLS clubs closing the gap in value terms.
Man Utd Transfer News
Segovia’s Slip Confirms Casemiro Heading to Inter Miami
Segovia said, ‘I know Casemiro is coming.’ The comment fuels expectations of a move to Miami in MLS.
Inter Miami forward Telasco Segovia appeared to confirm reports linking Casemiro to the club when he told assembled reporters: “I know Casemiro is coming.” The remark, captured by Olé, came while Segovia discussed his ambitions after training alongside some of the best to ever feature on the continent.
The 34-year-old Casemiro has been the subject of persistent speculation as he approaches free agency. His form at United prompted fans and several players to appeal for “one more year” of his services, but the midfielder has moved toward those reports of an MLS switch. Recent coverage has described Miami as on the cusp of securing his agreement after outmaneuvering MLS rivals LA Galaxy.
Segovia, 23, sought to temper his own comments by adding: “If he does come, he’s more than welcome; he’ll bring a lot to the team, and I think he’s going to give us so much.” The forward’s words offer an early, unplanned confirmation that allows supporters to better picture Casemiro in a pink shirt.
Lionel Messi’s teammate would join a squad that pauses competitive action for the World Cup. After Sunday’s clash with Philadelphia Union at Nu Stadium, the Herons will not be back in action until July 22, when Chicago Fire visit. Should Casemiro’s Brazil reach the World Cup final on July 19, it is unlikely he will be available for Miami’s match against the Fire.
Casemiro has been granted a reprieve for United’s final Premier League game to prepare for the upcoming tournament, which is expected to be his last for Brazil. Having completed a full European club season that began in August, the ageing midfielder will require time to recover ahead of the international competition.
