"We could learn very soon where Mohamed Salah will play next season." That's his agent Ramy Abbas Issa, and the direction of travel is pointing squarely at Istanbul.
Besiktas have tabled a formal offer to Salah following his departure from Liverpool. His legal representative is already in Turkey for face-to-face talks over a multi-year contract — this isn't a rumour trail, it's a negotiation with boots on the ground.
The wage gap is closing
The opening sticking point was money. Salah's camp initially asked for €15 million net per year — a figure that tested Besiktas's budget limits. But here's what makes this genuinely interesting: Salah blinked first. Motivated, reportedly, by a genuine desire to try Turkish football, he's lowered his demands to fit within what the Black Eagles can offer. That kind of flexibility from a player of his profile doesn't happen unless the destination actually appeals to him.
The family angle matters too. Reports from Turkey suggest Salah's family wants to settle in Istanbul, and the player himself has no appetite for Saudi Arabia — which immediately deflates the leverage of wealthier Middle Eastern clubs that would otherwise be favourites by default.
At 34, Salah left Liverpool with 257 goals and 120 assists in 442 appearances. He helped Egypt reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup before entering this transfer saga. The question was never whether clubs would come for him. It was whether any of them could match what he wanted.
What this means for Besiktas — and the title race
Besiktas already brought in Leandro Trossard. Adding Salah to that frontline wouldn't just improve them — it would fundamentally shift the Super Lig's competitive picture. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have dominated the conversation in Istanbul for years. A signing of this magnitude would signal that the Black Eagles are done being the third wheel.
From a betting standpoint, Besiktas's Super Lig title odds would need a hard look if this lands. A front line built around Trossard and a motivated Salah — playing somewhere he actually wants to be — is a different proposition entirely from what they've fielded recently.
The agent's update says it all. The legal team is in Istanbul. The contract framework is taking shape. The family is on board.
