Mohamed Salah is a free agent for the first time in a decade, and Besiktas is making a serious push to bring him to Turkey. The Egyptian star left Liverpool at the end of last season, and with new manager Andoni Iraola already planning a replacement, the 34-year-old winger is free to sign anywhere.
Besiktas didn’t waste time. The Turkish club has already held multiple meetings with Salah’s representatives, and according to reports out of Istanbul, the deal is moving fast. The biggest hurdle was money. Salah’s camp initially asked for a net annual salary of €15 million, which was a stretch for Besiktas. But after some back-and-forth, Salah lowered his wage demands to fit their budget. That changed everything.
The player’s legal representative is now in Istanbul hammering out final details on a multi-year contract. It’s not just about the money, though. Family preferences are playing a huge role here. Turkish media has been reporting that Salah’s family is eager to settle in Istanbul, and that’s given Besiktas a real edge over other suitors. MLS and the Saudi Pro League have both been linked to Salah since his Liverpool exit, but the family angle is hard to ignore.
Salah is coming off a strong World Cup performance in North America, where he led Egypt to the Round of 16. At 34, he’s still one of the most dangerous wingers in the game. His numbers at Liverpool are absurd: 257 goals and 120 assists in 442 appearances. For Besiktas, signing a player of that caliber would be a massive statement, especially after they already brought in Leandro Trossard to bolster the attack.
And they need it. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are both stacked up front, and Besiktas wants a frontline that can go toe-to-toe with them. Salah would instantly become the biggest name in Turkish football, no debate.
Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, isn’t playing coy about it. He said, “We could learn very soon where Mohamed Salah will play next season.” With the legal team in Istanbul and contract terms being finalized, it’s starting to feel less like a rumor and more like a done deal.
If this goes through, it’s hard to overstate what it means for the Super Lig. A player who spent nearly a decade terrorizing Premier League defenses could be lighting up Turkish stadiums next season. Besiktas is betting big. And right now, it looks like that bet is about to pay off.
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