Mohamed Salah is on the brink of a move that would shake Turkish football to its core. The Egyptian superstar, who left Liverpool as a free agent after the 2024-2025 season, is reportedly close to signing a one-year contract with Besiktas, with an option for a second year. Local media in Turkey have widely reported that an agreement in principle has been reached, pending a medical and final paperwork. If completed, this transfer would not only be the biggest in Besiktas's history but also one of the most significant ever in the Turkish Super Lig.
The Deal Details and Context
According to sources, Salah would earn €12 million per season, plus performance-related bonuses. The package is substantial for Turkish standards, but far below his previous wages at Liverpool, where he reportedly earned over £350,000 per week. The move comes after Salah&39;s contract with Liverpool expired in June 2025. He had been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, the United States, and even a return to Chelsea, but Besiktas emerged as a surprise contender in recent weeks. The club's aggressive pursuit, led by president Ahmet Nur Çebi and sporting director Ali Naibi, has captured the imagination of fans across the country.
Fans’ Reactions and Anticipation
Outside Besiktas’s Vodafone Park stadium, supporters are buzzing. Taha, a fan interviewed near the Bosphorus, couldn&39;t contain his excitement: “We are waiting for the announcement. This is like a dream.” Another fan, Sahit, compared Salah's potential arrival to that of Ricardo Quaresma, the Portuguese winger who became a cult hero at the club. “Salah is bigger because of his trophy cabinet,” Sahit said. Indeed, Salah has won three Premier League titles (2015 with Chelsea, 2020 and 2025 with Liverpool), a Champions League (2019), and numerous individual honors, including three Premier League Golden Boots. His global profile, especially in the Middle East and Africa, would bring immense commercial value to Besiktas.
Historical Significance in Turkish Football
Eren Tutel, a journalist specializing in Besiktas for the daily BirGün, called the potential signing “the biggest transfer in the history of the club and the Turkish league.” He emphasized that no other player combines such elite sporting quality, worldwide recognition, and commercial power. The only comparable recent deal is Victor Osimhen&39;s loan to Galatasaray in 2024, but that was a temporary arrangement. Salah would be a permanent acquisition (even if free) and a statement of intent. Caner Isbigendiren of Fanatik, however, cautioned that negotiations are still ongoing, and nothing is official yet. But the momentum is clearly in Besiktas's favor.
Besiktas’s Recent Struggles and Ambition
Besiktas has not won the Super Lig since 2021. They finished fourth last season, behind Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor. The club is desperate to return to the top and has already made one major signing this summer: Leandro Trossard, the Belgian winger, joined from Arsenal for €18 million. Trossard was unveiled to 20,000 fans last week, who chanted Salah’s name during the presentation. The Egyptian’s arrival would not only raise the team’s quality but also help attract other high-profile players. As Tutel noted, “Besiktas must build a balanced team around him, which they lacked in recent years.”
Mohamed Salah: Career Highlights
Mohamed Salah, born in Nagrig, Egypt, began his European career at Basel, then Chelsea, but it was at Roma and later Liverpool where he became a global icon. At Liverpool, he scored over 200 goals, won the Champions League in 2019, and was instrumental in ending the club's 30-year Premier League drought in 2020. He also led Egypt to the 2018 World Cup and scored crucial goals in African Cup of Nations tournaments. Off the pitch, he is a philanthropist, funding hospitals and schools in his hometown. His popularity in Egypt is unparalleled; he is often called the “ambassador of Egypt.” This cultural weight would make his presence in Istanbul a major diplomatic and social phenomenon.
The Broader Impact on Turkish Football
Salah’s arrival could be a watershed moment for the Turkish Super Lig, which has struggled to compete financially with the top European leagues. The signing would signal that Turkey can still attract world-class talent even without Champions League football (Besiktas qualified for the Europa League last season). It could also boost the league's television rights and global viewership. Fans are already planning to flock to the airport to greet him if the deal is confirmed. A video circulated online showed a supporter coming out of anesthesia and immediately asking whether Salah had signed. The fervor is real.
At the same time, there are questions about fitness and motivation. Salah will turn 34 in June 2025, and while he remains a top performer, his pace has slightly declined. However, his intelligence, finishing, and leadership remain elite. Turkish football is known for its passionate atmosphere but also its physical style, which could be a challenge for older players. Yet, given Salah’s discipline and professionalism, he is expected to adapt quickly.
What’s Next?
Besiktas is expected to make an official announcement within days, pending the medical examination. If signed, Salah will join teammates like Trossard, Cenk Tosun, and new signings to form a potent attack. The club’s preseason friendlies in July will be a showcase. The entire football world is watching Istanbul. The wait is almost over.
Source:MSN News