Besiktas' £34m bid for Mohamed Salah stalls amid values clash

Besiktas identified a clear need for a marquee striker after Liverpool’s Premier League triumph left a void, and the club targeted Mohamed Salah – the Egyptian King whose 50‑plus goal contributions powered that title win – with a £34 million two‑year offer. The Turkish side’s pursuit promised both on‑field impact and a commercial boost.

The deal collapsed when Besiktas withdrew from negotiations, marking a contract U‑turn following Salah’s departure from Liverpool. The Egyptian forward had left the Anfield club a year early after mutually terminating his contract with manager Arne Slot.

Besiktas chased the striker because his 50‑plus goal contributions in the 2024‑25 campaign were a key factor in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph and their dominance in almost every match. The club saw a global star who could lift performance levels and attract worldwide attention.

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Football director Zeki Onder Ozen explained the withdrawal, saying: "We contacted Salah. This also involved a financing model. Salah is a global star, a respected athlete. We met with Salah three times before the financial part of the negotiations began. Up to this point, everything was flowing smoothly. When the financial side began, the initial smoothness slowed down from July 21st onwards. Requests started coming in that would both disrupt the flow of information and the financial side. I can assume that a respected athlete like Salah was unaware of this. Beşiktaş has withdrawn from the Salah transfer negotiations for now! I also know Beşiktaş's values. Upholding these values is important. Not deviating from the club's core principles is far more important than having a valuable athlete. The Mohamed Salah case is currently on hold for us."

Salah’s agent Ramy Abass has been outspoken, insisting on a big payday for his sole client. Abass’s demands could be costing the Egyptian forward his move to Besiktas, prompting questions about whether the deal can be salvaged.

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Since the termination, Liverpool have been quoted at over €170 million for forward Bradley Barcola, highlighting an inflated market. Some Liverpool supporters now hope the King might return to Anfield as the club searches for a successor to fill the Salah‑sized void.

The collapse leaves Salah without a club and Besiktas without the high‑profile signing they valued. Both parties must now reassess their options: Salah’s future remains uncertain, while Besiktas prioritises its principles over acquiring a valuable athlete.