Serdal Adali: "We Never Wanted or Pursued Salah"

Besiktas president Serdal Adali has finally addressed the long-awaited question over Mohamed Salah, who completed his move to Trabzonspor. Adali said: "I've been watching with sadness since yesterday. Our community and our fans should know clearly that we did not want this transfer. We did not sign Salah. There is no situation where we were outmanoeuvred or failed to get him."

The Besiktas president explained that football director Onder Ozen's earlier "for now" comment had been misunderstood, adding: "Onder Hoca explained it well, he explained it politely. He said 'for now' but it was misinterpreted. We could have said that day: 'We're stepping away from the table, we're out.' It's being made to look like we were at the table and someone else came and signed him. I'm watching this with sadness. Since I've been in charge, nobody has ever taken a player from us. Our relations with Trabzonspor are good, nothing like that will happen."

Adali stressed that the club's transfer plans remain on track, concluding: "We have transfers coming, new names will arrive after next week. Everyone knows me — I don't give up on things over trivial matters. Certain things simply didn't fit Besiktas' structure first, and then my own approach. It's that simple. I think it worked out for the best. In time, some things will become much clearer."

Image: Eurohoops