Besiktas president reveals agent's commission request derailed potential deal for the Egyptian star
Category: Arts & Culture
In a dramatic turn of events, Mohamed Salah's anticipated transfer to Turkish club Besiktas has collapsed, primarily due to what the club's president described as an "unbelievable" demand from Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa. The news emerged following a series of conflicting reports that left the football community questioning the future of the Egyptian superstar, who is now a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of June 2026.
As seen in a trending post on r/soccer, Besiktas president Serdal Adali revealed that Salah had initially agreed to join the club, reportedly accepting a contract worth €10 million per season. This agreement seemed to solidify after the World Cup, with journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu first reporting the news. Yet, shortly after these claims surfaced, both Salah's agent and Besiktas issued statements denying that any transfer had been finalized, creating confusion among fans and analysts alike.
Adali explained that Salah had communicated his approval of the transfer to both the club's technical director and sporting director. "Salah spoke to our technical director and sporting director and gave his approval, but later, when it was written in the media that the transfer had been completed, the agent raised the financial demands," he stated. The president emphasized that the club found the agent's commission request, which reached approximately 35%, unacceptable. "From our side, such a percentage cannot be accepted under any circumstances," Adali added.
Interestingly, Adali also mentioned that the club does not believe Salah was aware of the exorbitant commission demand made by his agent. This raises questions about the dynamics of the negotiation process, as Salah has historically left financial matters to Issa, who is known for being a tough negotiator.
In the midst of these developments, Salah's agent took to social media, asserting that he did not yet know where his client would play next season. This statement contradicted the earlier claims of an agreement, adding another layer of uncertainty to the situation. Issa's comments suggested that discussions with clubs were still in the preliminary stages, and he indicated that they would not engage with teams that Salah would not want to join.
This situation comes at a time when Salah's future in football is under intense scrutiny. The Egyptian forward, who scored 12 goals in 41 appearances for Liverpool last season, has been linked to various clubs, including teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Saudi Pro League. The interest from Besiktas, as well as previous inquiries from Fenerbahce, indicates that there is a strong desire for Salah to continue his career in Turkey.
Earlier in the summer, Fenerbahce's former executive, Ertan Torunogullar, noted that Salah was interested in moving to Turkey, stating, "He was very eager to come to Turkiye. The meetings we had were extremely positive." This interest, coupled with the reported agreement with Besiktas, seemed to suggest that a move was imminent. Yet, the sudden collapse of the transfer has left many fans disappointed and questioning the motives behind the agent's demands.
Besiktas has been vocal about its commitment to transparency in its dealings, recently issuing a statement that dismissed claims made by journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu as "products of imagination." The club urged fans not to believe information that had not been officially communicated through their channels, highlighting the tension between media narratives and the actual state of negotiations.
With the collapse of the Besiktas transfer, Salah's immediate future remains uncertain. As a free agent, the star player has the flexibility to explore various options, but the recent developments have complicated matters significantly. Clubs in MLS and the Saudi Pro League are still potential destinations, but whether Salah will receive offers that align with his expectations is uncertain.
As the football world watches closely, the focus will likely shift to how Salah and his agent navigate this unexpected turn. The situation serves as a reminder of the complex nature of football transfers, where negotiations can quickly shift from promising to problematic.
In the coming days, Salah's camp is expected to clarify their position and possibly explore new avenues for his career. With the football season approaching, time is of the essence for the Egyptian international. Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see where Salah lands next, as the anticipation surrounding his future continues to build.
As the dust settles on this tumultuous episode, the football community remains hopeful that a resolution will be reached soon. Salah's talent and experience make him a highly sought-after player, and the next chapter in his career will likely be as exciting as it is unpredictable.
This article is grounded in a discussion trending on Reddit. Claims from the original post and comments may not reflect independently verified reporting.