Besiktas issue official Mo Salah statement after sensational transfer claim

Updated: 18 Jul 2026 07:43 BST | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Besiktas have taken the unusual step of issuing an official announcement following claims that Mohamed Salah has reached an agreement with them.

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Journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reported that the Liverpool icon has agreed personal terms to sign with the Super Lig club as a free agent, which was followed by numerous sources making the same announcement.

However, Besiktas have taken the unusual step of issuing a full statement denouncing the reporter, who has a social media reach in the millions, and effectively denying that a contract with Salah has been agreed.

STATS

Mohamed Salah

F, M (R)

Mohamed Salah

F, M (R)

41

Games
12

Goals
11

Assists

Besiktas criticise Salah agreement reports

On Friday evening, Sabuncuoglu tweeted a claim suggesting a deal taking Salah to Besiktas is all-but completed.

He said: “Mohamed Salah’s lawyer leaves Istanbul. Salah, who said 'yes' to Besiktas on financial terms, has not yet signed a contract with Besiktas.”

Previously, he had claimed that Besiktas had made an offer of €15 million per year for Salah’s wages and subsequently that the Egypt international was willing to accept the financial offer.

After midnight local time, the club’s official response came. It said:

“The posts made by journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu on digital platforms regarding our club's transfer processes and the rumoured transfer conditions are absolutely products of imagination.

“The individual in question has been misleading the public for a long time by disseminating news fabricated at the desk, which has no connection whatsoever to reality, concerning our club's transfer processes.

“As we have stated before, the most accurate and transparent information regarding our club's transfer processes is shared with our fans and the public through our communication channels.

“We once again earnestly request that the public, especially our fans, not to place any credence in any information or news that has not been shared through our official communication channels.”

© IMAGO - Mohamed Salah: Besiktas deny transfer agreement

Agent denies claims as Sabuncuoglu responds

Salah’s agent had similarly rubbished claims that a deal had been reached.

Ramy Abbas tweeted: “I personally do not know where Mohamed will play next season. What does that tell you?”

Sabuncuoglu, however, hit back: “My respect for Besiktas is endless, but I stand by my Salah story. Mohamed Salah, whose news I broke first in Turkey, has reached an agreement with Besiktas. The official signing hasn't happened yet. Hopefully, we'll also get to share the signing news with our Besiktas fans.”

Mo Salah to Besiktas: A surprise link

Besiktas would be a shock destination for Salah as he winds down his career.

They finished fourth in the Turkish league last season and do not have Champions League football to offer the 33-year-old. Instead, they will go into the Europa League at the second qualifying phase, in which they face Danish side Midtjylland.

While Salah may have a desire to continue in Europe as opposed to going to the Saudi Pro League or MLS, it had been expected that he would sign for a team still playing in the Champions League.

Regardless, the ongoing links with Besiktas have turned into nothing short of a mess, and if he does indeed wind up in Turkey, this is not the welcome such a star deserves.