One of the Premier League’s most iconic players in the last decade appears to be closing in on one of the most surprising destinations of the summer, with Mohamed Salah reportedly on the verge of joining Trabzonspor after a rival deal collapsed at the last moment.
What Happened
Salah left Liverpool earlier this year as a free agent after nearly a decade on Merseyside, and Turkish side Besiktas had appeared to be the frontrunner to sign him, with the two parties reportedly reaching a verbal agreement on a one-plus-one-year contract. However, Besiktas have now officially suspended those negotiations, with reports indicating the club’s hierarchy were unwilling to improve their offer or provide arrangements unavailable to other players at the club.
That hesitation opened the door for Turkish Super Lig rivals Trabzonspor, who moved quickly to submit a significantly bigger offer, reportedly worth €17 million per year across a two-year contract. According to multiple reports, Salah’s representatives have passed the offer along to the player, and some outlets now indicate the deal is effectively done, with paperwork already surfacing through Turkey’s public disclosure platform.
Why This Is Such Big News
Salah spending the twilight of his career in Turkey rather than at a traditional European giant or in Saudi Arabia is a genuinely unexpected turn. Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad have also renewed their interest, reportedly offering an annual package in the region of $25 million, with some reports suggesting Salah responded positively to that approach as well — meaning even at this late stage, the destination isn’t entirely locked in.
Trabzonspor’s willingness to smash Turkish transfer norms to secure him underlines just how much commercial and sporting value a player of Salah’s profile still carries, even as a free agent well past the peak years of his career.
The Numbers Behind His Liverpool Legacy
During his near-decade at Anfield, Salah became one of the club’s most prolific forwards in history, scoring 257 goals across all competitions, winning the Premier League title twice, and lifting the Champions League once. Replacing that kind of output and leadership in Liverpool’s attack is expected to be one of Arne Slot’s biggest challenges this season.
Not Fully Confirmed Yet
It’s worth noting that Trabzonspor’s own club president has publicly pushed back on suggestions that a deal is fully agreed, insisting there is “no such agreement” in place and no arrangements for Salah to travel to Trabzon immediately, even while acknowledging that any club would want to sign a player of his caliber. That kind of public denial alongside strong reporting of an imminent deal is common in the final stages of a transfer, so some caution is still warranted.
What Happens Next
With reports suggesting Salah could travel to Istanbul as early as this week for further talks, expect an official confirmation one way or the other within days. Whether he ultimately lands in Turkey or a Saudi switch materializes instead, this represents the next chapter of one of the Premier League’s most decorated modern careers, and it’s a story that will dominate football headlines regardless of which club ultimately wins the race.