Mohamed Salah chants drown out Leandro Trossard unveiling as Besiktas fans demand star signing

Besiktas supporters turned the official unveiling of new signing Leandro Trossard into an impromptu campaign for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, with thousands inside the stadium repeatedly chanting the Egyptian’s name.

The Belgian winger, newly arrived from Arsenal, was being presented to the Istanbul club’s fans when proceedings were abruptly interrupted. Chants of “Ya Allah Bismillah… Mohamed Salah” surged around the stands, forcing a brief pause in the ceremony and transforming the event into a public plea for the club to move for the Egypt captain in the current transfer window.

The scenes underlined the scale of Turkish interest in Salah at a time when his long-term future at Anfield remains the subject of intense speculation.

Chants overshadow Trossard welcome

Trossard, 29, had been welcomed onto the stage in front of thousands of Besiktas fans, who had gathered in anticipation of seeing their new attacking signing presented in black and white.

But as the presentation segments continued, a rising chorus of supporters began to call for Salah instead, repeating the rhythmic chant invoking his name. The noise grew loud enough to disrupt the formalities, creating an awkward moment for club officials on the podium.

The club’s hierarchy briefly appeared unsettled by the sustained chanting before resuming the programme. The ceremony then continued in a celebratory atmosphere, though the incident laid bare the level of ambition – and expectation – among Besiktas supporters as the club looks to strengthen its squad.

Agent’s presence in Turkey fuels speculation

The timing of the chants coincides with the presence of Salah’s representative, Ramy Abbas, in Turkey, further stoking rumours of a possible move to the country’s Super Lig.

Local reports have linked several of the country’s biggest clubs with interest in the Liverpool forward, with Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas all mentioned as potential suitors. The speculation comes amid ongoing reports in Europe and the Middle East that Salah could leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Salah, 32, remains under contract at Anfield and has attracted sustained interest from clubs in other major leagues, including Serie A in Italy, as well as from Saudi Arabia’s Pro League. However, his name has also repeatedly been associated with potential moves to Turkey in recent transfer windows, adding weight to the reaction seen in Istanbul.

Viral reaction from Besiktas president

Besiktas president Serdal Adalı was on stage during the Trossard presentation and appeared visibly surprised as the chants for Salah broke out around him. Footage from the ceremony showed Adalı initially stunned, before he responded with a wry smile as the crowd continued to press their demand.

The brief exchange, captured on multiple cameras and phones inside the venue, quickly spread across social media platforms in Turkey and beyond, with clips of the fans’ chant and the president’s reaction shared widely.

The viral moment has intensified debate among Besiktas supporters about the club’s transfer strategy this summer. While the arrival of Trossard from a Premier League giant like Arsenal is seen as a significant coup, many fans clearly view the possibility of signing Salah – however remote – as the kind of marquee move that would transform both the team’s prospects and the league’s global profile.

Salah’s popularity in Turkey

Salah’s status as one of world football’s most recognisable players has long made him a coveted figure for Turkish clubs looking to raise both their competitive level and international visibility.

He enjoys substantial popularity among Turkish fans, and his name has been linked with moves to the Super Lig on several occasions. The latest public show of affection in Istanbul underscores how strongly his potential arrival is desired – not only as a footballing asset, but as a symbol of ambition.

For now, there has been no official comment from Salah, his agent or Liverpool regarding any approach from Turkish clubs. But Besiktas fans have made their stance clear: even as they welcome Trossard, their sights are firmly set on seeing Mohamed Salah in black and white.