Home News Mohamed Salah’s future uncertain after Beşiktaş talks collapse

Mohamed Salah’s future uncertain after Beşiktaş talks collapse

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Mohamed Salah during the game
Source: vitaliivitleo/Depositphotos

Mohamed Salah left Liverpool as a free agent after the 2025-26 season. Ending a 9-year spell at Anfield by agreement with the club, despite having time remaining on his contract. Sporting Kansas City has reportedly made the 34-year-old forward a lucrative 2-year offer.

European and Saudi clubs have also shown interest in Salah. Beşiktaş submitted a final offer in late July but ended negotiations on July 28 after both sides failed to agree on financial terms.

Salah leaves Liverpool as a free agent

Salah spent nine seasons at Liverpool and became one of the club’s most productive forwards. He signed a new contract in April 2025, but he and Liverpool later agreed that he would leave at the end of the 2025-26 season.

His departure ended a decorated spell at Anfield. Salah’s reasons for leaving have been the subject of extensive reporting, but no authoritative source has established that guaranteed playing time is the central condition shaping every discussion with interested clubs.

Liverpool have since entered a post-Salah transition. The club also unveiled a 2026-27 home kit inspired by the strip worn during its 1989-90 title-winning season. Salah remains one of the most celebrated players in Liverpool’s history as speculation about his next club continues.

Besiktas makes its final contract offer

Beşiktaş sporting director Önder Özen said the club held three meetings with Salah before discussions slowed once financial terms were introduced. He said demands involving image rights and agent fees eventually brought negotiations to a deadlock.

Özen said Beşiktaş’s existing offer remains available, but the club will not submit another proposal or move beyond its financial policies. Salah’s representatives can respond to the offer, while Beşiktaş is prepared to move forward with other plans.

Earlier reports that personal terms had been agreed did not lead to a completed transfer, and Salah’s representative disputed claims that a deal was finalized. As of July 28, 2026, Beşiktaş had not signed Salah and had stepped back from active negotiations.

Mohamed Salah during the pre-game warm-up.
Source: [email protected]/Depositphotos

Sporting Kansas City enters transfer race

Sporting Kansas City has emerged as a reported suitor for Salah, with coverage describing a lucrative two-year proposal. Reports indicate that the MLS club has presented its interest directly to Salah’s representatives.

Ramy Abbas represents Salah as the forward considers his next move. Reports have linked the forward with potential destinations in MLS, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, although no completed agreement has been announced.

Several MLS clubs had previously shown interest in Salah, but ESPN reported in March that Chicago Fire and San Diego FC were not pursuing him at the time. MLS Commissioner Don Garber has publicly welcomed the possibility of Salah joining the league and suggested that he speak with established MLS stars about their experiences.

Peter Mallouk brings a personal connection

Sporting Kansas City’s pursuit carries an additional connection through majority owner Peter Mallouk. Mallouk became the club’s majority owner in January 2026 and has Egyptian family roots, adding a personal dimension to the reported interest in Salah.

That shared background has attracted attention in the coverage of the possible move. However, negotiations for a player of Salah’s stature still center on the proposed sporting role, contract structure, and financial terms. Analysts note that comfort and trust often matter as much as financial terms.

Mallouk has signaled that significant investment in Sporting Kansas City’s roster is planned. Signing a player of Salah’s caliber would raise the club’s international profile as Kansas City seeks to build on the attention generated by the 2026 World Cup.

Fun fact: Salah began his senior career with Egyptian club Al Mokawloon before moving to Swiss side Basel in 2012.

Egypt’s World Cup exit shifts focus

Salah captained Egypt to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Argentina eliminated Egypt with a 3-2 victory on July 7, ending the team’s historic run and shifting attention back to Salah’s club future.

Before the tournament, Salah said he had not decided where he would play next. He remained focused on Egypt’s campaign while clubs in several leagues continued to be linked with a possible move.

The World Cup concluded on July 19, but Salah had not announced his next club by July 28. Reports have continued to connect him with clubs in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States, while his final decision remains pending.

Salah walking off the field after Egypt's quarterfinal exit.
Source: vitaliivitleo/Depositphotos

Saudi Pro League remains a factor

Saudi clubs have pursued Salah in previous transfer windows, and Al-Ittihad renewed its reported interest ahead of his Liverpool departure. The Saudi Pro League’s ability to offer substantial financial packages has kept the region among his possible destinations.

A June report citing Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh said Salah was considering his options and would wait until after completing his World Cup commitments before making a decision. By July 28, 2026, he had not reached an agreement with any Saudi club.

Recent reports have differed over the salary figures discussed with Beşiktaş. The club’s latest public account focused on disputes involving image rights and agent fees, confirming that financial terms remain an important part of the negotiations.

European clubs still track his future

Roma has reportedly discussed a possible reunion with Salah, while Juventus has also been linked with the free agent. Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti previously worked with Salah during the forward’s successful spell at Roma.

A return to Serie A would require agreement on a substantial salary package. Italian clubs showed interest in Salah, but neither Roma nor Juventus had reached or announced a formal agreement with him by July 28.

Fenerbahçe have also featured in transfer reports since Aziz Yıldırım returned as club president in June. His return revived discussion of a possible approach for Salah, although no completed transfer or formal agreement has been announced.

Decision now rests with Salah himself

Salah has not publicly announced his next club. Beşiktaş’s existing offer remains available, but the club has stepped back from active talks and will not submit another proposal. Sporting Kansas City is also reported to be interested in signing him.

Salah ended his Liverpool career with 257 goals in 442 appearances and eight major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His next move will determine where he continues one of the most accomplished careers of the Premier League era.

At 34, Salah continues to attract reported interest from clubs in Europe, North America, and Saudi Arabia. Until he signs an agreement, his next destination remains one of the summer transfer window’s most closely followed stories.

Little-known fact: Salah joined Al Mokawloon at 14 and regularly made lengthy journeys from his home area to Cairo for training.

Mohamed Salah during the pre-game warm-up.
Source: [email protected]/Depositphotos

TL;DR

  • Besiktas president Serdal Adali says the club has sent Salah its final contract offer.
  • Sporting Kansas City has offered Salah a lucrative 2-year MLS contract.
  • Owner Peter Mallouk’s Egyptian heritage adds a personal angle to the Kansas City pursuit.
  • Saudi Pro League clubs and Serie A sides remain part of the ongoing conversation.
  • Salah is expected to decide soon after Egypt’s run at the World Cup ended.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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