Mohamed Salah: Besiktas move ‘completed’ claims Turkish legend as mystery deepens over star’s future

Mohamed Salah’s future has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after a Turkish football great claimed Besiktas have already completed a deal to sign the Egypt captain, amid growing speculation and feverish fan excitement in Istanbul.

The 34-year-old forward is a free agent following the end of his Liverpool contract, and Turkey has suddenly become the centre of the conversation over his next move.

In recent days, Salah has dominated Turkish sports headlines, with reports suggesting he could be on the verge of a shock switch to the Turkish Super Lig.

Agent’s cryptic message sparks rumours

The latest wave of speculation was triggered by comments from Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, who offered an unusually open hint about the player’s next steps.

Abbas said: “لا نزال لا نعرف اين سيلعب محمد الموسم المقبل، لكننا قد نعرف ذلك قريبا جدا”، a line widely interpreted in Turkey as a sign that Salah is close to deciding his future.

With no new deal at Liverpool and no official announcement of his next club, those remarks have fuelled intense debate over whether one of world football’s biggest names could be heading to Istanbul.

Former Turkey keeper: ‘Besiktas president has done the deal’

Speculation escalated dramatically when former Turkey international goalkeeper Rustu Recber – who played for both Fenerbahce and Besiktas – claimed live on television that Besiktas president Serdal Adalı had already secured Salah’s signature.

Recber said: “اتم رييس نادي بشكتاش، سيردال ادالي، صفقة محمد صلاح. فهمت ذلك من الشايعات ومن تعابير وجه الرييس”.

His assertion, based on what he described as rumours and the expressions on Adalı’s face, has not been backed up by any official confirmation, but it has intensified belief among Besiktas supporters that a sensational transfer is possible.

Reported contract figures and length of deal

Turkish media outlets have published what they say are details of negotiations between Salah’s camp and Besiktas.

According to those reports, Salah is said to have reduced his financial demands to a net annual salary of €11m, and is pushing for a three-year contract with an option for a further season.

The same reports claim Besiktas have responded with an offer of a net €9m per year on a two-year deal, with an option for a third season. The final campaign, if the extension clause is activated, would reportedly come with a reduced salary.

None of these figures have been confirmed by the club or the player, but they have contributed to a growing narrative in Turkey that talks are at an advanced stage.

Promotional video and fan chants fuel excitement

The rumours have not been driven by numbers alone. Supporters and commentators have also seized on what they see as symbolic hints.

A promotional video unveiled by Besiktas to present Belgian winger Leandro Trossard as a new signing contained repeated references to Egypt. Some fans interpreted this as a deliberate nod to Salah and a teasing clue that another major announcement could follow.

In a separate incident, a video widely circulated on social media showed Besiktas supporters chanting in unison: “يا الله بسم الله.. محمد صلاح”، while cameras picked out president Serdal Adalı smiling as the crowd roared the player’s name – an image that only intensified speculation.

Club board member’s post adds to intrigue

Adding another layer to the saga, Ahmet Caglar, a member of the board of Besiktas Football Company, posted on his social media accounts about Salah, prompting further conjecture that discussions might be under way.

The content of the post was not enough to confirm any agreement, but its timing, amid a frenzy of transfer rumours, was taken by many fans as a sign that the club is at least exploring the possibility of bringing Salah to Istanbul.

No official word from Salah or Besiktas

Despite the mounting reports, public hints and high-profile commentary, there has been no formal statement from either Mohamed Salah or Besiktas to confirm or deny that a deal is in place.

For now, all claims remain in the realm of speculation, with no completed transfer announced.

As one of the most recognisable figures in world football and captain of Egypt’s national team, Salah’s next move is likely to be one of the defining stories of the summer transfer window – and Turkey, for the moment, appears to be at the heart of it.