Besiktas have submitted a formal offer to Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian captain's representatives travelling to Istanbul for talks — a significant shift in a saga that the Turkish club's president had publicly dismissed just days earlier.

Turkish journalist Efecan Öztaş, citing King Fut, reported that the opening meeting between the two camps went positively, and that the 34-year-old is "inclined to wearing a jersey in Turkey."

Salary negotiations narrow the gap

Salah's initial annual salary demand stood at €15 million — a figure that presented the main stumbling block in early discussions. His representatives are now said to have reduced that figure, bringing both sides closer to a potential agreement.

The development directly contradicts remarks made by Besiktas president Serdal Adalı on July 14, when he publicly denied any interest in signing Salah. The new round of talks suggests the situation has evolved considerably since then.

Agent keeps options open

Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas, offered a guarded update on Friday without naming any specific destination. "We still do not know where Mohamed will play next season, but we may know very soon," Abbas wrote.

The uncertainty follows Salah's participation at the 2026 World Cup with Egypt, where he registered one goal and two assists across five appearances. Egypt reached the round of 16, taking a two-goal lead against defending champions Argentina before ultimately falling 3-2.