Mohamed Salah overtakes Victor Osimhen as Super Lig’s highest-paid player

Victor Osimhen is no longer the highest-paid player in the Super Lig after Mohamed Salah completed a high-profile move to Trabzonspor.

The Nigeria striker joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli last summer in a deal worth €75m. That remains a record transfer fee paid by a Super Lig club and is also the third-biggest sale in Galatasaray’s history.

Osimhen’s arrival brought more than a landmark transfer fee. Galatasaray also committed to a salary package that made him the best-paid player in the history of Turkey’s top flight, with a net annual wage of €15m and a further €1m available in bonuses.

His basic salary equated to about €288,462 a week, a figure that placed him alongside some of the highest earners in Europe’s leading leagues. Until Salah’s move, it was the biggest wage ever agreed for a player in the Super Lig.

That record has now been broken by Salah, who has signed for Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool as a free agent.

The Egypt international, 34, arrived in Turkey to a huge reception before agreeing a one-year contract with the option of an additional year. The deal is expected to keep him at Trabzonspor until 2028 and includes a reported net salary of €17m after tax.

Salah will also receive 20% of the income generated from merchandise sales directly associated with his image, as well as additional performance-related bonuses.

Because Trabzonspor are not traditionally among Turkey’s wealthiest clubs, reports say the cost of Salah’s wages will be shared between the club and its corporate sponsors.

The agreement means Osimhen has dropped to second place in the Super Lig’s salary rankings. His previous record could remain out of reach for some time, particularly because there is little expectation that he will sign a new Galatasaray contract to increase his earnings. Reports last season suggested the club had found it difficult to meet his wage demands.

Attention will now turn to whether Salah or Osimhen can make the greater impact on the pitch.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Super Lig last season but won the Turkish Cup. The club will hope Salah’s arrival can help them improve on that league position as they challenge for the title and seek a long run in the UEFA Europa League.

Salah is expected to become a central figure for the Black Sea Storm, with his experience and attacking quality providing the basis for an ambitious campaign.

Osimhen, meanwhile, will be tasked with helping Galatasaray secure a fifth successive league title and make a strong impression in the UEFA Champions League. The Super Eagles forward has established himself as a leader at the Istanbul club and will be expected to play a decisive role.

With high-profile players including Mason Greenwood, Salah and Leandro Trossard now arriving in Turkey, Osimhen will also need to maintain his consistency and underline his status as one of the world’s leading forwards.