Mohamed Salah agent denies reports of agreement to join Besiktas

Mohamed Salah agent denies reports of agreement to join Besiktas

The agent for Mohamed Salah has dismissed reports claiming the 34-year-old forward has reached an agreement to join the Turkish side Besiktas. Ramy Abbas Issa took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday morning to address the speculation, stating, I personally do not know where Mohamed will play next season. What does that tell you?

The denial follows reports from Foot Mercato, including claims by journalist Santi Aouna, that a verbal agreement was in place. Those reports suggested Salah would sign a one-year contract with an option for an additional season, earning €10 million (approximately £8.5 million) per year with an additional €2 million (£1.7 million) available in bonuses. Other reports placed the initial earnings at $11.4 million with bonuses worth $2.3 million.

If true, the deal would represent a significant pay-cut for the former Liverpool attacker. Following a contract extension last year, Salah reportedly earned around £400,000 a week, totaling approximately £20.8 million or €24.5 million annually at Anfield.

Salah is currently a free agent after ending a nine-year tenure with Liverpool at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. During his time with the Reds, he made over 440 appearances and scored 257 goals, winning eight trophies and two Premier League titles. His final campaign under manager Arne Slot saw him make 41 appearances, contributing 12 goals and 10 assists for a total of 22 goal involvements.

The forward put decisions regarding his future on hold to represent Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Under coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt reached the knockout stages for the first time in the competition's history. Salah registered one goal and two assists across five games, including an assist in a 1-1 draw with Belgium and both a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over New Zealand — the first ever World Cup victory for the Pharaohs.

After a 1-1 draw with Iran and a penalty shootout victory over Australia, Egypt faced holders Argentina in the Round of 16. Egypt held a two-goal lead with 11 minutes remaining before Argentina scored three times, including a winner in stoppage time, to advance to the final against Spain in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19.

While Besiktas is among the linked destinations, other options have emerged. Foot Mercato and other reports have linked Salah to the MLS, with Sporting Kansas City mentioned as a well-placed franchise to sign the forward. The Saudi Pro League has also been cited as a possibility, though it is believed Salah prefers to remain in Europe. Other potential moves include a return to Italy or an unlikely transfer to Chelsea.

A move to Besiktas would potentially pair Salah with Leandro Trossard, whom the Turkish club recently signed from Arsenal for roughly $23 million. However, a move to Istanbul would not see Salah return to the Champions League immediately. Besiktas last appeared in that competition in 2021/22 and currently sit fourth in the Super Lig. This placement puts them in the Europa League qualifying stages.

Besiktas is scheduled to play the first leg of the second qualifying round against Danish side Midtjylland next Thursday. If a deal were reached quickly, Salah could potentially be available for the second leg in Istanbul on July 30.

Earlier on Friday, Abbas Issa had indicated on social media that while he did not know where Salah would play next season, the answer may be known very soon.