Trabzonspor Beats Besiktas to Sign Mohamed Salah on Free Transfer

Trabzonspor has pulled off a massive transfer coup by securing Mohamed Salah on a free transfer, hijacking the move after high-stakes negotiations between the Egyptian forward and rivals Besiktas collapsed at the eleventh hour.

The 34-year-old winger, who became a free agent after his contract with Liverpool expired this summer, touched down at Istanbul Atatürk Airport via private jet at approximately 12:00 PM local time on Wednesday to finalize the blockbuster move. Trabzonspor has already triggered the official process by formally notifying the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) regarding the commencement of contract talks.

Key Details of the Transfer

• Contract Duration: Salah is locked in to sign a two-year contract with the Black Sea club.
• Squad Number: The veteran forward is designated to wear the iconic number 11 shirt for the upcoming campaign.
• Financial Terms: Trabzonspor avoids a transfer fee due to Salah’s free-agent status, while external corporate sponsors have stepped in heavily to cover his substantial wage demands, rumored to be around €15–16 million net per year.
• Official Announcement: In a media clip published across Trabzonspor’s official digital channels, Salah donned the burgundy-and-blue jersey, delivering the traditional fan slogan: “Bize Her Yer Trabzon” (Everywhere is Trabzon for us).

Why the Besiktas Deal Collapsed

Besiktas had been locked in advanced negotiations with Salah’s representatives for weeks, spearheaded by Football Director Önder Özen and board member Serdal Adalı. While a provisional agreement on personal terms was initially reached, the deal fell through during the final drafting stages.

The breaking point came when Salah’s management demanded a €7.5 million agent commission alongside a significant percentage of future merchandise revenue. Deeming the package financially reckless, the Besiktas leadership walked away from the table. Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan moved swiftly to exploit the breakdown, mobilizing third-party club sponsors to absorb the contested financial demands and quickly wrap up the terms.

Salah is scheduled to fly to Trabzon later this evening. A massive public signing ceremony is highly anticipated to take place at Papara Park on Thursday.