Besiktas accelerate all efforts to complete Mohamed Salah deal

Besiktas' most ambitious transfer file of the summer window has reached a critical juncture. According to an exclusive report from Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the Black-and-Whites have made their first official offer to Mohamed Salah; the Egyptian star, who had asked for €15 million a year in initial talks, lowered his salary expectation to move to Besiktas. Following this development, the player's lawyer has arrived in Istanbul.

This marks a significant milestone in a file that has run for months. Salah, who became a free agent from Liverpool on June 30, was offered to Besiktas as well as Galatasaray and Fenerbahce through his agent Ramy Abbas. According to an earlier statement from Sabuncuoglu, the purpose of the agent's Istanbul visit was not limited to talks with Besiktas alone; he also wanted to test the waters with all three giants ahead of an expected massive offer from Saudi Arabia.

Salary had been the biggest obstacle throughout the process. Club president Serdal Adali was reported to be eager to complete the transfer, but the biggest obstacle facing the club's management was preserving the squad's internal wage structure; according to some Turkish sources, this salary demand had even brought the deal to the point of being taken off the table.

Now, however, the picture is reversing. Salah lowering his expectations and Besiktas sitting down with a concrete offer show that the process has regained momentum, with the club accelerating its efforts to complete the transfer. According to reports also widely covered in the international press, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have also prepared attractive financial packages for Salah, though the Saudi Pro League remains the most likely destination; the player is expected to make his decision in the coming days.

Source: Yagiz Sabuncuoglu
Image: Yahoo Sports