When Mohamed Salah left Liverpool earlier this summer, ending his nine year association with the Reds, it was not clear where the Egyptian King would end up. However, it seems highly-likely that Türkiye will be his next destination, with Beşiktaş on the brink of signing Salah, set to be paid around €12 million per year. Once he arrives at Tüpraş Stadyumu, he might just be reunited with a former Liverpool team mate.
As reported by journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Beşiktaş are "edging closer to an agreement" to sign Darwin Núñez. This would be a season-long loan deal, ending the Uruguayan's nightmare spell in Saudi Arabia that we'll document in just a second. It had been reported that Atlanta United in MLS were "pursuing" a deal for Núñez, but instead he is set to be plying his trade on the banks of the Bosphorus.
While at Anfield, Salah and Núñez made 122 appearances together, combining for 18 goals, and the pair are seemingly set to be reunited in Türkey.
Why Darwin Núñez will be on the move this summer
It is only 11 months since Núñez joined Al-Hilal for £46 million from Liverpool, but they made it clear that he was surplus to requirements. On deadline day of the January transfer window, the Blue Wave signed Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, which essentially signalled the end of Núñez's career in Riyāḍh.
That's because, Saudi Pro League clubs can only register a maximum of ten foreign players. Thus, Núñez had de-registered for the second half of the season, despite being paid a reported £400,000-per-week. His last club appearance came in the AFC Champions League on 16 February against Al-Wahda, scoring twice, but still cast aside thereafter.
With Al-Hilal having just signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United for £65 million, they now have 14 overseas players on their books, including the aforementioned Benzema, as well as Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, João Cancelo, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Théo Hernandez and Malcom. Thus, four will need to be cut, hence why a loan move for Núñez will likely be approved.
What Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah should expect at Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş are seemingly assembling one of the most frightening attacks in Europe. The Black Eagles have already signed Leandro Trossard from Arsenal for €20 million, thereby potentially forming a front three alongside Salah and Núñez that would not look out of place in the Premier League.
Having finished fourth in last season's Süper Lig, Vincenzo Italiano's team have already begun their European campaign. On Thursday, they beat Midtjylland 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie. Orkun Kökçü's first half strikes means they will take a lead to Herning next Thursday, albeit only a slender one. The winners of that tie will face Hradec Králové or Tromsø in the third qualifying round, still needing one more victory thereafter to get into the Europa League league phase.
Domestically, Beşiktaş were champions in 2016, 2017 and, most-recently, 2021, but Galatasaray have won the title four seasons in a row. Thus, dethroning their historic rivals from across İstanbul will not be easy, but Beşiktaş' big expenditure this summer very much suggests that is the aim.
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