Turkish club Trabzonspor announced negotiations to sign free agent Mohamed Salah on August 4, 2026. The 34-year-old former Liverpool forward is expected to travel to Turkey for medical checks as club officials pursue what could become one of the most lucrative transfers in the league’s history.
The race for one of world football’s most decorated forwards took a decisive turn when Turkish top-tier side Trabzonspor formally confirmed they had begun transfer negotiations with Mohamed Salah. The 34-year-old Egyptian forward entered the market as a free agent following his departure from Liverpool at the conclusion of the previous season, immediately drawing interest from major European and Middle Eastern suitors.
Trabzonspor Confirms Talks and Travel Plans
Trabzonspor made the announcement official through Turkey’s public disclosure platform, stating that negotiations have been launched to transfer professional footballer Mohamed Salah, who is in a free status, to our club. Club officials moved quickly to outline a tight timeline for the player’s arrival in Turkey.
Photo: goal.com
According to the club’s published schedule, Salah was set to arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday before traveling onward to Trabzon.
“The player is planned to reach Trabzon in the evening of the same day, The time and other details regarding the welcome program in Trabzon will be shared with the public through our club’s official communication channels during the day.”
Trabzonspor, Official Club Statement
Before the formal announcement, the club’s official social media accounts hinted at the impending arrival by sharing a video featuring the Egyptian pyramids, signaling to supporters that a major announcement was imminent.
President Ertugrul Dogan Addresses Speculation and Rival Interest
Speaking to broadcaster A Spor shortly after the public disclosure, Trabzonspor Chairman Ertugrul Dogan adopted a measured tone regarding the status of the agreement. While acknowledging the magnitude of the potential signing, Dogan clarified that final paperwork remained pending.
TRANSFER | Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan'dan Mohamed Salah Açıklaması Geldi!
“There is a lot being said, but there is no agreement with Mohamed Salah, There are no arrangements for him to travel to Trabzonspor tomorrow. Had there been such a plan, we would have informed the media and the fans of it. Who among us would not want to sign a player of the calibre of Mohamed Salah? Of course we would wish for that, but the truth is that there is no agreement at this moment.”
Photo: reuters.com
Ertugrul Dogan, Trabzonspor Chairman, via A Spor
Despite the chairman’s cautious public stance, Dogan later detailed the intensity of the behind-the-scenes discussions sabah.com.tr. He explained that talks accelerated after competing teams stepped aside, noting that negotiations with Salah and his representative lasted roughly 10 days before reaching a mutual understanding.
Dogan emphasized the broader ambitions of the club following their third-place finish in the Super Lig last season, noting that Trabzonspor’s recent success has elevated their standing across Europe. The club is set to enter the Europa League playoff round and aims to demonstrate that it can secure elite global talent.
Financial Scope and Rival Bids From Besiktas and Saudi Clubs
The pursuit of Salah involved overcoming significant competition and financial hurdles. Renowned journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reported that Trabzonspor constructed a lucrative two-year offer worth €17 million per year, a package that would make him the highest-paid player in Turkish league history if fully executed.
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Trabzonspor’s rapid advance effectively overtook rival domestic suitors. Besiktas had previously held verbal agreements on a one-year contract with an option for an additional season, but those discussions ultimately stalled over financial differences and image-rights demands managed by Salah’s representative Ramy Abbas.
Beyond Turkish competitors, international interest persisted. Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Ittihad, maintained long-running interest in securing the forward, creating an ongoing backdrop of external market pressure as Trabzonspor worked to finalize the terms.
A Storied Career Precedes the Move to the Super Lig
Salah arrives in Turkey carrying one of the most productive modern resumes in European football. During his nine-year tenure at Liverpool following his arrival from Roma in June 2017, he scored 257 goals across 442 appearances and collected virtually every major club honor, including the Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup.
SALAH TRABZONSPOR'DA | BRAHİM DİAZ | GÜNDEM TURU | TRANSFER HABERLERİ | CHECKup
His peak individual achievements include the 2024-25 campaign, where he scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League, sweeping the Golden Boot, Playmaker Award, and Player of the Season honors. Output dipped during his final year at Anfield amid seven league goals and a public disagreement with then-manager Arne Slot, setting the stage for his departure.
As negotiations continue toward a formal contract signature, attention shifts to the final medical examinations and the official unveiling in Trabzon.
