Full Breakdown
Mohamed Salah’s Transfer Saga: Stalled Talks with Besiktas and Emerging Alternatives
7/29/2026, 3:32:55 PM
Core Event – Besiktas Offer Stalls
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, a free agent after ending his Liverpool contract early, has been in negotiations with Turkish club Besiktas. Sporting director Önder Özen (also reported as Önder Özent) told local media the club presented a “best and final” two-season proposal and will not submit a further offer. He said club policy and the president’s stance prevent any deviation from the terms on the table. As of July 21, the club noted that once financial discussions began, progress “slowed down,” and the player’s representatives were “unaware of” the emerging hurdles.
Background – Salah’s Departure and Market Interest
Salah announced his intention to leave Liverpool in March and said goodbye to fans at the end of May. His final season at Anfield earned him roughly £400,000 per week (about $28 million annually). After Egypt’s World Cup run to the round of 16, the 34-year-old entered the market as one of the world’s highest-paid players, a status matched in MLS only by Lionel Messi’s reported $80 million yearly earnings.
Emerging Alternatives – MLS and Saudi Interest
In the United States, Sporting Kansas City (SKC) is the leading MLS suitor, reportedly preparing a “lucrative” two-year contract. SKC’s roster includes an open Designated Player slot for 2026, currently occupied by midfielder Manu García (guaranteed $2.4 million) and forward Dejan Joveljic (guaranteed $3.3 million). The club’s ownership recently shifted after a reported $700 million transaction that transferred majority control to financial adviser Peter Mallouk, whose family background links to Egypt.
Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal are also monitoring Salah, though no concrete proposal has been disclosed.
A separate rumor linked Salah to Turkish side Trabzonspor, citing a preliminary agreement reported by “Sports Digital.”
Official Statements & Responses
- Önder Özen/Özent (Besiktas sporting director) emphasized that the club’s offer is final.
- Serdal Adali (Besiktas president) reiterated the firm stance.
- Ertugrul Dogan (Trabzonspor president) denied any involvement, calling reports false.
- Transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano noted that Besiktas remains Salah’s “top target,” but no agreement exists and the player is evaluating MLS and Saudi proposals.
Data & Statistics – Financial Landscape
- Besiktas offer: guaranteed €15 million annual salary plus €4 million in performance incentives (two-season deal).
- Salah’s Liverpool earnings: approximately $28 million per year.
- SKC DP salaries (2026): Manu García – $2.4 million; Dejan Joveljic – $3.3 million.
- Lionel Messi (MLS) earnings: reported $80 million annually.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the spelling of the Besiktas sporting director’s name (Özen vs. Özent). The precise terms of the “final” Besiktas proposal beyond the headline €15 million salary have not been disclosed, leaving questions about image-rights fees and agent commissions that reportedly stalled talks. While rumors linked Salah to Trabzonspor, the club’s denial provides no independent verification of any formal negotiation.
What’s Next – Ongoing Negotiations
Salah remains a free agent with multiple clubs monitoring his situation. No deadline for a decision has been announced, and his representatives are reviewing “plenty of proposals” before committing. The market is expected to stay active through the upcoming transfer window as clubs from Europe, the Middle East, and North America continue their pursuit.
