«We’re waiting for the announcement,» exclaims Taha, a Besiktas supporter seated on the stadium steps overlooking the Bosphorus. The young fan constantly refreshes his phone, tracking every update about Salah, now a free agent. The potential signing has ignited unprecedented excitement among Turkish football fans.
«This could be the biggest transfer in the club’s history—and perhaps even in the entire Turkish league,» remarks Eren Tutel, a Besiktas specialist and journalist. «No other signing combines such sporting excellence, global fame, and commercial appeal.»
A struggling club seeks revival through a legendary signing
Besiktas has endured a difficult period since their last title in 2021. The club now lags behind fierce rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Trabzonspor, finishing fourth in the previous season. The morale among fans remains low, but Salah’s potential arrival could change everything.
Sahit, another supporter waiting outside the stadium, compares Salah’s potential impact to that of Quaresma, a club legend from 2015 to 2019, and Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray in 2024. «He brings more than just skill—he brings trophies and prestige,» Sahit notes. «He’s a three-time Premier League winner and a Champions League champion. Plus, he’s Egypt’s most beloved athlete—a true national icon.»
Besiktas has already made a statement this summer by signing Leandro Trossard from Arsenal for €18 million. The Belgian winger, a recent English champion, was welcomed by 20,000 fans, who chanted Salah’s name in anticipation. «Besiktas needs to build a balanced squad around him,» Tutel emphasizes. «The club has lacked that in recent years.»
Ali, a 32-year-old fan draped in a black-and-white scarf, heads toward the club’s official store beneath the stadium. «I came to check the new season’s jerseys, but I’ll wait to buy Salah’s shirt,» he says. If the deal is finalized, the store—and even the airport—will be overwhelmed by fans eager to greet the Egyptian superstar.