Turkish President Erdogan Personally Involved in Mohamed Salah's Transfer to Besiktas

Doha, Qatar Jul 23, 2026 ALN: Events moved quickly inside the black-and-white household at Besiktas, with reports emerging that signing Mohamed Salah was no longer merely a sporting ambition. Senior figures in the Turkish state were now following the matter closely. The involvement of high-level political figures in sports transfers is not entirely unprecedented in Turkey, where football often intersects with national pride and international reputation.

According to reports out of Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intervened personally to get details of the deal. He asked Besiktas president Serdal Adali for extensive information on how negotiations with the Egyptian star were progressing. Erdogan is personally tracking Salah's proposed move to Besiktas, reflecting the significance that this transfer holds not just for the club but for the country as a whole.

According to the Turkish newspaper "sozcu", Turkish President Erdogan has asked Besiktas president Serdal Adali for a full briefing so he can personally track the progress of negotiations with the Egyptian star. This direct involvement from the president underscores the political implications of such a high-profile transfer, particularly in a country where football is often seen as a unifying force.

Club officials reckon indirect government backing could open the door to clearing the enormous financial hurdles a deal of this size demands. Besiktas aren't just chasing domestic honours; they want continental dominance too. The club's ambition reflects a broader trend in Turkish football, where clubs are increasingly looking to make their mark on the European stage, especially given the recent influx of talent into rival leagues.

The same newspaper reported that Turkish journalist and broadcaster Erdogan Aktas revealed in public comments that Egyptian striker Salah will land in Istanbul on Wednesday to put the finishing touches to his contract with Besiktas. Should it go through, the move would be the biggest transfer in the history of the Turkish league in terms of marketing and fan value. Such a signing would not only elevate Besiktas' profile but also position the Turkish league as a competitive force in European football.

The political value Erdogan reportedly sees in the transfer rests largely on Salah’s reach outside football. The former Liverpool winger commands an audience spanning Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Arab world. His popularity is not just limited to football fans; he is also a cultural icon in many regions, which adds a layer of significance to his potential move to Turkey.

A move to Istanbul would therefore generate attention that few conventional Lig signings could provide. It would also allow Turkish football to compete for global visibility with Gulf leagues that have recruited Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, and other high-profile players in recent years. This competition for visibility is crucial for the Turkish league, which has struggled to maintain its status in the face of increasing financial power from leagues in the Gulf region.

Furthermore, the timing would suit Turkiye’s wider sporting ambitions. Istanbul will host the 2026 Europa League final and 2027 Conference League final before Turkiye jointly stages Euro 2032 with Italy. These upcoming events provide a platform for Turkish football to showcase its talent and infrastructure, and a high-profile signing like Salah could serve as a catalyst for greater international interest.

Besiktas didn't stop at administrative moves. Head coach Vincenzo Italiano threw his full weight behind the process of convincing Salah of his sporting project. According to the newspaper "Fanatik", the Italian coach held a special meeting with the Egyptian star to thrash out the fine technical details, including the team's structure and the style of play he intends to implement next season. This level of engagement from the coaching staff indicates how critical the club views this potential signing.

Italiano used those talks to explain how Salah would be the cornerstone of his attacking plans. He assured the winger that the club's ambition is to go as far as possible in European competition, a goal that chimes with the competitive mentality Salah honed on pitches during his successful tenure at Liverpool. This strategic approach not only aims to entice Salah but also aligns with Besiktas' broader objectives in international competitions.

This was no mere introduction. The session touched on the club's future objectives and how to turn Besiktas into a striking force on the Old Continent. The player grew increasingly drawn to a fresh challenge after years of brilliance in the Liverpool shirt, where he became one of the most recognized footballers in the world. The prospect of leading a new project can be enticing for a player of Salah's caliber, especially as he seeks to leave a lasting legacy in a new league.

Optimism ran high, but the talks ran into financial obstacles over the commission of agent Ramy Abbas. Sources say Besiktas president Serdal Adali has voiced strong reservations about the terms Abbas laid out. The financial dynamics of player transfers can often complicate negotiations, particularly when high-profile agents are involved, and this case is no exception.

Talks stalled earlier over the percentage demanded from the deal. Reports confirm the Besiktas president rejected the 35% asked for by the agent, branding it unacceptable under any circumstances. He even questioned whether Mohamed Salah grasped the scale of the figure being demanded as a personal commission for chasing his rights. Such disputes are common in football, where agent fees can sometimes overshadow the actual transfer fee and create tension in negotiations.

Besiktas want to bridge that gap. The Turkish club has sent Ramy Abbas an official invitation for a face-to-face meeting in Istanbul, hoping to thrash out the financial details and bring the percentage down in line with the club's budget and the wider circumstances. The willingness to negotiate is a positive sign, indicating that both parties are still interested in reaching an agreement despite the hurdles.

Club chiefs are dangling a huge annual salary in front of the player. At the same time, they insist the agency fees stay within reasonable limits recognized across the game. The financial stakes involved in this transfer are significant not only for the club and the player but also for the Turkish league as a whole, as it seeks to elevate its status within European football.

In conclusion, the potential transfer of Mohamed Salah to Besiktas represents more than just a sporting decision; it encapsulates the intersection of politics, finance, and sports in Turkey. As negotiations continue, the eyes of the football world will be watching closely, not just for the outcome of this deal, but for what it signifies about the future of Turkish football on the global stage.