Mohamed Salah, the 34-year-old forward, is reportedly close to joining Turkish side Besiktas as a free agent, according to reports in the Turkish press. An agreement is believed to be in place for a one-year contract with an option to renew, worth €12 million plus bonuses.
The potential transfer has generated significant excitement amongst Besiktas supporters, with many anticipating it as the biggest signing in the club’s history, and potentially in the history of the Turkish Super Lig. Eren Tutel, a Besiktas specialist and journalist for BirGün, highlighted the combination of sporting quality, global recognition, and commercial power that Salah would bring to the club.
Salah’s agent has reportedly tempered the rumours, suggesting the deal is not yet finalised, but the anticipation is building in Istanbul. Supporters have already begun discussing the impact of his arrival, with some placing it above previous high-profile signings such as Ricardo Quaresma and Victor Osimhen, citing Salah’s more extensive trophy cabinet. The Egyptian international has won the Premier League three times – once with Chelsea in 2015 and twice with Liverpool in 2020 and 2025 – and also secured a Champions League title in 2019.
Besiktas have been actively strengthening their squad, recently acquiring Leandro Trossard from Arsenal for €18 million. Trossard was presented to 20,000 supporters, with fans already chanting Salah’s name. The club hopes that the arrival of a player of Salah’s stature will attract further high-profile signings and help rebuild a team that has struggled in recent seasons.
Since winning the Turkish Super Lig title in 2021, Besiktas have fallen behind rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor, finishing fourth last season. The club is attempting to reverse this decline and restore its position as a leading force in Turkish football. The potential signing of Salah is viewed as a crucial step in achieving this goal, with the hope that he can become a focal point for a more balanced and competitive squad. There have also been reports of interest from MLS side Sporting Kansas City, but Besiktas appears to be the frontrunner.
