Mohamed Salah edges closer to Besiktas as wife’s preference for Muslim country shapes talks

Mohamed Salah’s potential move to Besiktas has taken a significant step forward, with Turkish reports claiming the Egyptian star’s wife is playing a crucial role in steering him towards Istanbul and its majority-Muslim setting.

Family influence pushes Salah towards Turkey

According to Turkish sports daily Fanatik, Magi, Salah’s wife, has a strong preference for relocating to a country with a predominantly Muslim population. This, the paper says, has made Turkey – and Besiktas in particular – an especially attractive option for the family as the 32-year-old weighs up the next chapter of his career.

The report states that the wishes of Salah’s family have had a “clear impact” on his openness to a move to the Turkish Super Lig, following the end of his glittering spell with Liverpool.

Salah, former captain of Egypt’s national team, is currently a free agent after leaving Anfield at the end of last season, concluding a nine-year stint in which he became one of the most prolific forwards in the club’s history.

Besiktas ‘make major progress’ in negotiations

Fanatik reports that Besiktas have “made notable progress” in negotiations with Salah’s representatives as they attempt to complete what would be one of the club’s most high-profile signings in recent years during the current summer transfer window.

The Istanbul club are understood to have reached an initial agreement on the financial framework of a deal. The Turkish outlet says Salah has been offered an annual salary of €10m, with performance-related bonuses that could take the total package up by a further €2m, depending on goals, appearances and team achievements.

While there is still no final agreement, Besiktas officials are said to be eager to move swiftly in order to beat any late competition and to give their coach clarity on the squad before the new campaign begins.

Fans chant Salah’s name at new signing unveiling

The momentum behind the move has been mirrored in the stands. During the unveiling of new signing Leandro Trossard, Besiktas fans chanted Salah’s name repeatedly in front of an estimated 20,000 supporters at the stadium ceremony.

Supporters broke into a rhythmic chant of: “يا الله، بسم الله، محمد صلاح” – “Ya Allah, Bismillah, Mohamed Salah” – sending what was widely interpreted as a clear message of their desire to see the Egyptian forward in black and white next season.

The scenes underlined the scale of anticipation among Besiktas fans, who see Salah as a marquee figure capable of transforming their attacking options and boosting the club’s international profile.

Agent: ‘We still don’t know where Salah will play’

Despite the growing noise around Besiktas, Salah’s camp insists no final decision has yet been made.

His agent, Ramy Abbas, wrote on his official X account: “لا نزال لا نعرف اين سيلعب محمد صلاح الموسم المقبل، ولكن ربما نعرف ذلك قريبا جدا.”
(“We still do not know where Mohamed Salah will play next season, but we may know that very soon.”)

The comment suggests that discussions are at an advanced stage and that clarity over Salah’s future is expected in the near term.

Egyptian line continues at Besiktas

If completed, the move would extend Besiktas’s tradition of recruiting leading Egyptian players. The club previously had Egypt internationals Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Elneny on their books, a history which may further encourage Salah to consider the Istanbul giants as a comfortable and familiar environment.

Salah’s departure from Liverpool marked the end of a trophy-laden era that included Premier League and Champions League titles, as well as multiple individual awards. He also recently brought to a close his 2026 World Cup campaign with Egypt, who exited at the last-16 stage against Argentina.

With his next destination still officially undecided but talks with Besiktas advancing and family preferences clearly shaping the process, the coming days are expected to be decisive in determining where one of African football’s greatest modern stars will play next season.