Carragher slams Salah's Turkey switch as Trabzonspor chase glory

Jamie Carragher criticised Mohamed Salah's Turkey move after his Liverpool exit, arguing the Egyptian star is "too good" for a side outside the top European leagues. The former England defender said the free‑agent should have stayed in a higher‑profile competition, a view that underscores the gap Trabzonspor now hopes to fill.

Salah left Liverpool at the end of last season, walking away from a £400,000‑a‑week contract and becoming a free agent. Over nine years he amassed 257 goals in 442 appearances, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League among other trophies.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last campaign and will compete in the Europa League next season. The club already boasts Manchester United loanee Andre Onana in goal and last lifted the league crown in 2022, signalling a strategic shift toward challenging for European spots.

The Egyptian forward is poised to sign a two‑year deal with the Turkish side, with no transfer fee involved. To accommodate the deal, Trabzonspor have completely altered their wage structure, making the signing the biggest in the club's history.

ImagesMohamed Salah was greeted by Trabzonspor fans on Wednesday(Image, with a seismic welcome at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul and later at Trabzon Airport). The reception was captured by Seyit Ahmet Eksik/Anadolu via Getty Images, highlighting the excitement surrounding the move.

Carragher told the Football Ramble, "I never believed he was going to go to Saudi, because number one, he's too good for that. I think he can be playing in Serie A. Turkey for me feels a level too low." He added that Salah's wage demands had deterred bigger clubs, but the Egyptian still deserves a prestigious stage.

Trabzonspor will officially unveil Salah on Thursday evening, but the club must manage his high wage expectations while delivering the European performances fans expect. The European Turkish Wednesday League Airport Trabzon ON AC Image Europe FA We Eksik narrative will now centre on whether the club can translate the fanfare into on‑field success.