Mohamed Salah appears to be heading for one of the most unexpected transfers of the summer, with the former Liverpool forward poised to join Turkish club Trabzonspor. The Egyptian, who departed Anfield as a free agent at the end of last season, has already touched down in Turkey and been photographed in the club's kit ahead of putting pen to paper on a contract this Thursday. Should the deal be finalised, Salah will wear the number 61 shirt for his new side.
The move raises eyebrows given Salah's pedigree. Just two years ago he was among the Premier League's most productive attackers, racking up 29 goals and 18 assists during the 2024-25 campaign. However, his final season at Liverpool told a different story, with only seven league goals to his name as his playing time shrank amid reported tension with manager Arne Slot. That decline in output appears to have narrowed the list of clubs willing to pursue him.
Many had expected the 34-year-old to follow the well-trodden path taken by other veteran superstars. Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Salah's former Liverpool colleagues Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, opted for lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia, while Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min have become the faces of a growing MLS. Kevin De Bruyne chose a different route entirely, moving to Napoli after his Manchester City exit. Turkey, too, has proven capable of attracting elite talent, though usually to one of the traditional powerhouses in Istanbul — Fenerbahce, Galatasaray or Besiktas. Galatasaray currently field Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane, while this summer alone Fenerbahce brought in Nathan Ake and Besiktas signed Leandro Trossard.
Trabzonspor sit outside that elite bracket, typically regarded as Turkey's fourth-strongest club. Located in the Black Sea city of Trabzon, the club has lifted the Super Lig title seven times, most recently in the 2021-22 season. Under coach and former Turkey international Fatih Tekke, Trabzonspor finished third in the league last term, trailing champions Galatasaray and runners-up Fenerbahce. Continental football is not yet secured for the upcoming campaign, as the club must first navigate a two-legged Europa League qualifying play-off this month.
Were the transfer to be completed, Salah would immediately rank as the most high-profile player in Trabzonspor's history, surpassing former recruits such as ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe. The current squad also features Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, along with Cape Verde internationals Wagner Pina and Sidny Lopes Cabral — the latter having scored a memorable goal against Argentina at the World Cup.
Financially, the free-transfer nature of the deal works in Trabzonspor's favor, allowing the club to direct a larger share of its budget toward wages rather than a transfer fee. Salah's previous contract at Liverpool was reportedly worth around £400,000 per week, making his salary demands a significant factor in any move. Beyond the pitch, his arrival would represent a major commercial boost for Trabzonspor and its sponsors, including shirt sponsor and stadium naming-rights holder Papapa.
Salah, who arrived in Trabzon on Wednesday, shared a video from a private jet confirming his imminent arrival. "Trabzon, are you ready? See you very soon," he said in the clip posted to social media, fueling anticipation ahead of his expected unveiling.
Based on reporting from The Independent.