«We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the announcement,» exclaims Taha, a lifelong Besiktas supporter, seated on the steps overlooking the Bosphorus. His eyes are glued to his phone, refreshing the latest news about Mohamed Salah (34), the free agent whose potential move to the Turkish club has dominated headlines. According to local reports, a one-year renewable contract worth €12 million plus bonuses is reportedly close to being finalized.

A transfer that would shatter records in Turkey

Eren Tutel, a seasoned Besiktas analyst and columnist, doesn’t mince words when assessing the significance of this potential signing. «This could easily become the most transformative transfer in both the club’s history and the entire Süper Lig,» he states. «No other player combines such elite sporting talent, global recognition, and commercial appeal.»

Sahit, another fan interviewed near the stadium, places Salah’s potential arrival above even Quaresma’s legendary stint (154 matches between 2015-2019) and Victor Osimhen’s explosive 2024 season at Galatasaray. «Salah brings more than just skill—he carries prestige,» Sahit explains. The Egyptian forward arrives with an impressive trophy cabinet: three Premier League titles (2015 with Chelsea, 2020 and 2025 with Liverpool) and a Champions League triumph in 2019. Caner Isbegendiren, a seasoned football journalist covering the Turkish transfer market, adds that Salah’s arrival would be particularly impactful given his status as Egypt’s most beloved sports figure—a veritable national ambassador.

Besiktas’s desperate gamble to revive fortunes

The anticipation in Istanbul is palpable. A viral video shows a supporter waking from surgery, immediately demanding updates on whether Salah has signed. Since winning the league in 2021, Besiktas has plummeted to fourth place last season, trailing behind arch-rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor. The club’s morale is at an all-time low, making this potential signing a desperate yet calculated gamble to reverse their fortunes.

To bolster their squad ahead of a potential Salah arrival, Besiktas has already secured Belgian winger Leandro Trossard from Arsenal for €18 million. The 31-year-old, fresh off an English Premier League title, was presented to 20,000 jubilant fans who chanted Salah’s name. Tutel believes this move could attract further top-tier talent: «Besiktas must build a balanced team around him—they’ve lacked this structure in recent years.»

Ali, a 32-year-old fan draped in the team’s black-and-white colors, heads toward the club store beneath the stadium. «I came to check out the new season kits, but I’m holding off—I want the Salah jersey,» he reveals. If the transfer is confirmed, both the club’s merchandise outlets and Istanbul Airport will be overwhelmed with fans eager to welcome the Egyptian superstar.