Mohamed Salah, recently crowned the Premier League’s best player and a key figure in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last season, has signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor, marking a surprising move to what is considered Turkey’s fourth biggest football club. This transfer has attracted significant attention within Turkish football, a landscape known for fierce rivalries, particularly among the traditional powerhouses Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas.
Initial interest in Salah’s services came from several clubs within the so-called Istanbul Big Three. According to Fenerbahce executive Ertan Torunogullari, the Egyptian forward was keen on joining the club, with positive negotiations taking place. However, sources linked to Galatasaray contend their club was the first to be approached regarding Salah’s availability but ultimately disengaged due to contract demands they found unacceptable.
Besiktas president Serdal Adali asserted that a verbal agreement had nearly been reached between his club and Salah. However, he blamed the breakdown of talks on the agent representing Salah, Ramy Abbas, who allegedly raised commission demands to approximately 35%, a figure Besiktas described as unacceptable and claimed Salah himself was not fully aware of. Adali also maintained that his club was not outmanoeuvred by rivals and had no desire to complete the transfer, signaling a desire to downplay the disappointment within Besiktas circles.
Beyond the complexities and disputes over negotiations, several factors contributed to Salah’s eventual decision to sign with Trabzonspor. Despite lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, Salah prioritized continuing to compete in European football. Although some Spanish and Italian clubs expressed interest, their financial packages were reportedly insufficient, especially considering Salah’s intent to maintain his wage standards.
Trabzonspor emerged as a strong contender due to a competitive offer that positioned Salah as the highest-paid player in Turkey, surpassing Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen. The club also presented an appealing sporting project, competing in the Europa League and aiming to challenge the dominance of the Istanbul giants. Influential in Salah’s decision were personal appeals from current Trabzonspor players, including Egypt teammate Mahmoud Trezeguet and Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana, who is currently on loan at Trabzonspor. Both reportedly engaged Salah in private discussions, promoting the club’s ambitions and environment.
Trabzonspor’s president Ertugrul Dogan expressed optimism that Salah’s arrival could disrupt the established hierarchy in Turkish football and put his club into serious contention for the Süper Lig title, which Trabzonspor has won only once since 1984. For Salah, the move represents not only a financial opportunity but also a chance to cement a legendary status in a passionate football market by helping a less dominant club to challenge the traditional elite.
This transfer underscores the complex interplay of sporting ambitions, financial considerations, and agent negotiations within high-profile football moves. Salah’s signing may signal a shift in Turkish football dynamics and reflects the diverse options top players now weigh beyond the traditional European powerhouses.