Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu reported that Besiktas submitted a formal offer for the Egyptian international, who showed flexibility by lowering his initial annual salary demand of 15 million euros in early discussions with club officials. The latest sign of momentum came with the arrival of Salah’s lawyer in Istanbul, where contractual and legal elements of a potential agreement are now under review. Sabuncuoğlu added that the 34-year-old remains open to the move despite his long association with English football.
Salah has spent nine seasons at Liverpool since his 2017 transfer from Roma, during which Premier League records show he has scored more than 200 goals across all competitions and helped the club secure multiple trophies including the 2019 Champions League. His status as one of the competition’s most prolific forwards has drawn interest from several leagues as his Anfield chapter appears to near its end. No extension has been finalized with the English side ahead of the upcoming season.
Major offers from Saudi Pro League clubs had reached Salah over the previous two years, leading many to anticipate a move to the Gulf upon leaving Liverpool, according to multiple transfer reports from that period. The Saudi league has invested heavily in global talent since 2023, with cumulative spending exceeding one billion dollars on overseas players according to data compiled by Deloitte’s football finance analysts. Those links had overshadowed other potential destinations until the recent Besiktas approach surfaced.
Ramy Abbas, who represents the forward, stated that the next club had yet to be decided. “We still don’t know where Salah will play next season, but we may find out very soon,” Abbas said. The agent’s comment came as speculation intensified around a possible Turkish switch that would diverge from the expected Saudi path. Besiktas officials have not issued any public confirmation of the talks.
The Turkish Super Lig has seen increased spending on established European stars in recent transfer windows, with federation figures indicating foreign player registrations in the top division rose by nearly 25 percent between 2021 and 2025. Such acquisitions have aimed to raise the league’s competitive profile on the continental stage. A signing of Salah’s calibre would rank among the most notable captures for Besiktas in over a decade.
Liverpool has declined to comment on the reported interest from the Turkish club, maintaining its focus on pre-season preparations. The presence of Salah’s legal team in Istanbul suggests any resolution could emerge within days if terms align. Sabuncuoğlu’s reporting has positioned the negotiations as active without claiming an imminent agreement.
