The blockbuster transfer deal that would have brought former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to Besiktas has officially come to a halt. Despite initial positive progress, deep financial disagreements arose in the final stages, leading the Turkish club to decide to stop negotiations.
The negotiation deadlock stems from new demands.
Besiktas CEO Onder Ozen has publicly confirmed that the recruitment process for the Egyptian international has stalled since July 21st. Despite Besiktas' management holding three face-to-face meetings with Salah's representatives and proposing a specific financial structure, unexpected issues at the crucial moment have disrupted all efforts.
Evaluating the process, Mr. Ozen shared that initially things went relatively smoothly thanks to Salah's professional attitude. However, when delving into the details of the actual terms, the striker's representatives repeatedly made new demands, pushing the negotiations to a deadlock. Notably, the Besiktas leader suggested that the 34-year-old striker himself may not have fully understood all the stringent demands made by his representatives.
Career background and status of a free agent
After reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with Liverpool a year early, Salah is now a free agent. The Egyptian striker recently finished his journey with the national team at the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16 before beginning to consider his next career moves.
At 34, Salah still retains the allure of a global star. However, his exorbitant salary demands from his agents are becoming a major obstacle, causing potential clubs to think carefully before making a move.
Financial principles that transcend big names.
Instead of disrupting their salary structure to acquire an expensive star, Besiktas chose to prioritize financial security and sustainability. The Turkish club's management affirmed that they would not make any further demands for improvements and officially closed the negotiation process.
Mr. Ozen emphasized that protecting core values and maintaining financial stability is the club's top priority. Besiktas is willing to forgo acquiring a big name if it jeopardizes the overall operating model. This statement means that Salah's chances of joining the Turkish Super League in this transfer window are completely closed.