Mohamed Salah to Besiktas: a transfer that could reshape Turkish football
The imminent arrival of Mohamed Salah at Besiktas is sending shockwaves through Turkish football. According to local reports, a one-year renewable contract worth €12 million, including bonuses, is on the verge of being finalized.
«We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the announcement,» exclaims Taha, a Besiktas supporter seated on the stadium steps by the Bosphorus. The 34-year-old Egyptian star, now a free agent, has become the focal point of every conversation in Istanbul. «The club has found its missing piece,» he adds, his voice brimming with anticipation.
A historic signing for Besiktas and Turkish football
Eren Tutel, a Besiktas expert and journalist, doesn’t mince words: «This would easily be the biggest transfer in club history—and potentially Turkish football history. No other signing combines this level of sporting excellence, global recognition, and commercial appeal.»
Why Salah stands above previous arrivals
Salah’s credentials speak for themselves: three-time Premier League winner (2015 with Chelsea, 2020 and 2025 with Liverpool), Champions League champion (2019), and a global icon. «He’s not just a player; he’s an ambassador for Egypt,» notes Caner Isbegendiren of Fanatik, a publication well-versed in Turkish transfers. «His arrival would eclipse even the likes of Quaresma at Besiktas or Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray.»
Besiktas’ struggle and Salah’s transformative potential
Besiktas has been in a downward spiral since their 2021 league title. The club now lags behind rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor, finishing fourth last season. The morale among fans is at an all-time low—so much so that a video surfaced of a supporter waking up from anesthesia, immediately checking his phone for news about Salah.
To reverse their fortunes, Besiktas has already moved boldly, securing the services of Leandro Trossard from Arsenal for €18 million. The Belgian winger, a recent English champion, was greeted by 20,000 fans chanting Salah’s name. «His arrival could pave the way for even bigger names,» Tutel predicts. «Besiktas needs to build a balanced squad around him—a luxury they’ve lacked in recent years.»
Ali, a 32-year-old fan draped in a black-and-white scarf, heads toward the stadium shop. «I came to check out the new season jerseys, but I’ll wait to buy Salah’s,» he admits. If the deal goes through, both the club shop and Istanbul Airport will be overwhelmed by the Egyptian’s arrival.
