Transfer news: Mohamed Salah to Besiktas, a move that would make Turkish football history

Mohamed Salah is very close to joining Besiktas, according to several local media outlets. Expectations are immense in Turkey, where the arrival of the former Liverpool player would undoubtedly be one of the most significant transfers in the country's history.

“We’re waiting for the announcement,” exclaims Taha, a Besiktas supporter, sitting on the steps of his club’s stadium in Istanbul this Saturday evening. Facing the Bosphorus, the young man points to his mobile phone, where he’s checking news about Mohamed Salah (34), a free agent and close to joining the Turkish team. According to the local press, an agreement has been reached for a one-year, renewable contract worth €12 million, plus bonuses.

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"It's easy to say that this would be the biggest transfer in the club's history, and even in the Turkish Championship," emphasizes Eren Tutel, Besiktas specialist and journalist for the daily newspaper BirGün. "I don't see any other signing who combines such sporting quality, global recognition, and commercial power."

Mohamed Salah has not yet chosen his next club. (F. Faugère/L'Équipe)

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Sahit, another supporter encountered outside the stadium, places the potential arrival of the Egyptian ahead of that of Quaresma, a club legend (154 matches between 2015 and 2019), as well as Osimhen's move to Galatasaray (2024), "because he has a more impressive track record." A three-time Premier League winner (2015 with Chelsea, 2020 and 2025 with Liverpool) and Champions League winner (2019), Salah would arrive in Turkey with a wealth of trophies. "And besides, he's the most popular figure in his country, a kind of ambassador for Egypt," adds Caner Isbegendiren of the newspaper Fanatik, well-versed in Turkish transfer news, who prefers to emphasize that the transfer is still in the negotiation phase.

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The club is in a downward spiral and his signing could attract other big names

In Istanbul, the anticipation is immense. A video posted online shows a fan, just waking from general anesthesia, immediately asking if Salah has signed. Since the 2021 title win, fan morale has plummeted as the club has fallen behind rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor, who finished fourth last season.

To reverse this trend, Besiktas, whose emblem is an eagle, has already set its sights on Leandro Trossard, who arrived from Arsenal for €18 million. Last Thursday, the 31-year-old Belgian, a recent Premier League champion, was presented to 20,000 fans, and the stands chanted the Egyptian left-footer's name. His signing could attract other big names, as Eren Tutel analyzes: "Besiktas needs to build a balanced team around him, something they've lacked in recent years."

Ali, 32, wearing a black and white sweater, heads towards the shop located beneath the stadium. "I've come to see the new season's jersey, but I'll wait to buy Salah's," he says. If his signing is finalized, both the store and the airport will be packed to welcome the Egyptian star.