Having departed Liverpool as a free agent, Mohamed Salah's destiny is in his own hands this summer. The Egyptian King can pretty much decide to do whatever he wants in terms of his choice of next club. Despite concrete interest from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer, it was clear that the 34 year old wanted to remain in Europe but, as he moves one step closer to his next club, it is a choice surely few would have expected.
As reported by Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato on Friday evening, Salah has reached a "verbal agreement" to join 16-times Turkish Süper Lig champions Beşiktaş. He adds that the forward will sign a one-year contract, with an option for a further year, earning a base salary of €10 million per year, as well as €2 million in potential bonuses.
So, it appears as though Salah will call İstanbul home in the near future, not something that felt likely after he scored 34 goals in all competitions for Liverpool the season before last.
The uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future has intensified following a cryptic public statement from his long-time representative and confidant, Ramy Abbas.
As the Egyptian forward approaches the final chapters of his current career phase, speculation regarding where the prolific winger will be playing his football come August has intensified.
Abbas took to social media on Friday to address the mounting rumors, offering an intriguing update that carefully avoided naming any specific clubs or leagues, while hinting that a definitive decision is rapidly approaching.
“We still do not know where Mohamed will play next season, but we may know very soon,” Abbas wrote
The update from Abbas comes on the heels of Salah's recent international exploits on the global stage. The veteran forward most recently represented Egypt at the 2026 World Cup, serving as the focal point for his country's attack.
Throughout the tournament, he remained a highly effective contributor, recording one goal and two assists across his five appearances.
Despite his individual output, the tournament ultimately ended in heartbreak for the forward and his compatriots. Egypt successfully navigated the group stages to reach the round of 16, where they were drawn against footballing heavyweights Argentina.
In a dramatic knockout encounter, the Pharaohs looked poised to pull off a historic upset after storming into an early, commanding two-goal lead against the defending World Cup champions.
However, a spirited comeback from the South American side ultimately dashed Egypt's dreams, resulting in a narrow 3-2 defeat.
Players to have played for both Liverpool and Beşiktaş
Salah is poised to become only the fourth man to represent both the Reds and the Black Eagles.
- Ryan Babel: Liverpool appearances: 146. Beşiktaş appearances: 89.
- Loris Karius: Liverpool appearances: 49. Beşiktaş appearances: 67.
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Liverpool appearances: 146. Beşiktaş appearances: 50.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the most-recent of the trio to do so, spending two seasons in Turkey before joining Celtic in January of this year. Loris Karius meantime spent two seasons on loan at Beşiktaş, straight after his nightmare in the Champions League Final in Kyiv; let's not bring that up!
The first player to represent both was Ryan Babel. The Dutchman had something of a nomadic career after departing Anfield, including two seasons in İstanbul, helping Beşiktaş win the Süper Lig title in 2016/17. So, what chance Salah achieves the same, and what awaits him on the banks of the Bosporus?
How strong are Mohamed Salah's future club Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş are very much the third force of Turkish football, behind both fierce cross-city rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe in terms of titles. The Black Eagles have though won the league five times this century, most-recently doing so in 2021, making them semi-regulars in the Champions League, appearing in the group stages three times in the last decade.
However, there will be no Salah return to Anfield this season. That's because, Beşiktaş finished fourth in the Süper Lig last season, so must come through three rounds of qualifying just to get into the Europa League. Their European campaign commences next Thursday, hosting Midtjylland, which certainly will not be an easy match, meaning they'll want Salah to be available as soon as possible.
Earlier this week, President Serdal Adalı unveiled Leandro Trossard, who has arrived from Arsenal for a fee of around £17 million. Fair to say, the Belgian is about to be upstaged by a far more high-profile former Premier League winger. Overall, new head coach Vincenzo Italiano has a strong squad at his disposal, featuring familiar faces such as former Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
Thus, the club will expect Italiano to challenge Galatasaray for the Süper Lig title, and Salah's arrival could be a huge difference maker in this quest.
With his international duties concluded and the tournament behind him, Salah’s focus has entirely shifted to his club career. If Abbas's sudden public intervention is any indicator, the footballing world will not have to wait much longer for an answer where his next destination is.
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