Football: Mohamed Salah close to an agreement with Trabzonspor, in Türkiye

The Turkish club Trabzonspor announced on Tuesday evening that they had begun "negotiations" with Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah, who has been a free agent since leaving Liverpool where he played for nine seasons.

"Negotiations have started regarding the transfer of professional player Mohamed Salah to our club," the Black Sea team, which will play in the Europa League playoffs after finishing third in the league last season, told X.

The 34-year-old player, captain and superstar of the Egyptian team, will arrive in Istanbul at noon on Wednesday, where he is to undergo a medical examination, before traveling to Trabzon in the evening, Trabzonspor said.

Salah, who had also been approached by Besiktas, is expected to sign a two-year contract with an option for a third year, and will receive 17 million euros per year, according to several Turkish media outlets.

Last crowned Turkish champions in 2022, Trabzonspor is the only club from Anatolia to stand up to Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Besiktas, the three big Istanbul clubs.

Salah has achieved legendary status with the Egyptian national team (66 goals in 119 appearances) and at Liverpool, with 257 goals and 123 assists in 442 matches.

Having arrived from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has won nine titles with the Reds, including two in the Premier League and one in the Champions League.

"The Egyptian King", as he is nicknamed in England, however, delivered a final season far removed from his usual standards, without his popularity being diminished on the banks of the Mersey or the Nile.