Mohamed Salah: Why Besiktas move fell through for Liverpool legend and what’s next

Last Updated on 27 July 2026

Mohamed Salah’s free transfer saga just hit another wall. Besiktas seemed close to landing him, then everything unravelled fast.

Agent demands, commission disputes and a club unwilling to bend all played a part. Consequently, the former Liverpool icon remains without a club this summer, after exiting Anfield.

Here’s why it collapsed, plus where he could land next, after a decent World Cup campaign.

Why Mohamed Salah’s Besiktas move collapsed

Talks initially progressed smoothly. Reportedly, Besiktas’ reps met Salah three times, and their coach discussed tactics with him directly. Everything flowed well until finances entered the conversation. Suddenly, demands emerged that Besiktas couldn’t accept.

President Serdal Adali later blamed agent Ramy Abbas Issa directly. According to Adali, Issa raised his commission request to 35%. Besiktas viewed that figure as extortionate, so they pulled out. Sporting director Onder Ozen backed that account publicly.

He insisted the club wouldn’t risk illegal payments, even for a player like Salah. Meanwhile, confusion spread across social media. Abbas denied knowing Salah’s next destination, which only fuelled speculation. Besiktas then issued a statement, denying any signing had occurred.

Still, fans kept chanting Salah’s name at other unveilings. Ozen made the situation clear afterwards. He said the file had been shelved, not scrapped entirely. However, he ruled out any improved offer and Besiktas turned their attention toward alternatives like Rafael Leao.

What next for the former Liverpool star?

Al-Ittihad remain interested, but there’s a major obstacle. Moussa Diaby has refused to leave the Saudi club so Al-Ittihad can’t create funding for Salah yet. They’re still working to convince him to depart first. Beyond Saudi Arabia, Turkish clubs haven’t fully disappeared either.

Besiktas hasn’t declared the deal completely dead, despite the setback. If Salah’s camp softens its financial stance, talks could resume quickly. Meanwhile, rumours from the United States continue circulating too. MLS clubs have shown interest in the veteran winger.

Given his profile, a move there would carry obvious commercial appeal. For now, though, nothing is close to finalised. Salah remains a free agent, weighing multiple paths forward. Age hasn’t dimmed his commercial value, and clubs know it.