Mohamed Salah set to join Besiktas in a deal that could reshape Turkish football
Rumors are swirling in Istanbul as Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward, appears on the verge of completing a blockbuster move to Besiktas. If finalized, this transfer would not only be the biggest in the club’s history but also one of the most significant in Turkish football’s annals.
The anticipation among Besiktas fans is palpable. Taha, a lifelong supporter seated on the steps of the Vodafone Park, gazes intently at his phone, refreshing the latest transfer news. «We’re waiting for the announcement,» he says, his voice brimming with excitement. «At 34, Salah is out of contract and a free agent. Local reports suggest an agreement has been reached for a one-year deal worth €12 million, with performance-based bonuses included.»
Besiktas’ potential capture of Salah has ignited conversations far beyond the club’s fanbase. Eren Tutel, a seasoned journalist covering Besiktas for BirGün, doesn’t mince words: «This would easily be the most monumental signing in the club’s history—and possibly the entire Süper Lig. I can’t think of another player who combines such elite sporting ability, global fame, and commercial appeal.»
A club in search of a revival
Besiktas hasn’t won a league title since 2021, and the mood among supporters has soured. Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor have consistently outpaced them, with Besiktas finishing fourth last season. The club’s emblem, an eagle, seems to be missing its sharpest talons—until now.
Salah’s arrival could be the catalyst Besiktas needs. After securing Belgian winger Leandro Trossard from Arsenal for €18 million last week, club officials presented him to a roaring crowd of 20,000 fans. Chants of Salah’s name echoed through the stadium. «Besiktas must build a balanced squad around him,» Tutel notes. «That’s what’s been missing in recent years.»
Sahit, another fan braving the summer heat near the stadium, compares Salah’s potential arrival to past legends like Quaresma (154 matches for Besiktas) and Osimhen’s stint at Galatasaray in 2024. «But Salah brings more,» Sahit argues. «He’s a three-time Premier League winner (2015 with Chelsea, 2020 and 2025 with Liverpool) and a Champions League champion (2019). Plus, he’s Egypt’s most beloved athlete—a walking ambassador for his country.»
Caner Isbegendiren, football correspondent for Fanatik, cautions that the move remains in the negotiation phase. Still, he acknowledges the seismic impact Salah’s signature would have: «His arrival would transform Besiktas’ profile overnight. The club’s merchandise sales alone could skyrocket.»
The club’s shop, located beneath the stadium, is already buzzing with activity. Ali, a 32-year-old fan in a Besiktas jersey, grins as he points to the empty shelf where Salah’s new kit will soon hang. «I came to check out the new season shirts,» he says, «but I’ll wait—because I’m buying Salah’s.» If the deal goes through, the airport and store alike will be flooded with fans eager to welcome the Egyptian superstar.