Why did Salah depart…

The atmosphere outside Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport on Wednesday afternoon was charged with excitement. As the media gathered at the terminal doors, thousands of Trabzonspor fans lined up behind metal barriers, eager to catch a glimpse of their new star.

In the midst of the frenzy, Mohamed Salah beamed. After nearly ten years as Liverpool’s iconic “Egyptian King,” he is accustomed to such grand receptions.

As he prepared to officially announce his unexpected move to Turkey’s Trabzonspor, even Salah might have been surprised by the scale of the event. Sporting the club’s distinct claret and blue jersey along with a white baseball cap, he captivated his adoring crowd, quieting them momentarily before raising his arms in celebration amidst their cheers.

This was possibly the moment when the summer’s most surprising transfer started to feel logical. Trabzonspor sent shockwaves through the football landscape by announcing their pursuit of Salah on Tuesday, who has been without a club since leaving Liverpool at the close of the previous season.

It was merely 18 months ago that the Egypt international dramatically confirmed his lucrative two-year contract extension at Liverpool while sitting on a throne on Anfield’s pitch. At that juncture, he appeared to be at his apex, ready to further solidify his legacy on Merseyside.

Why then, at the age of 34, has Salah opted to swap the heights of the Premier League for Türkiye’s fourth-largest club? Moreover, as the transfer window nears its conclusion, what does his exit imply for Liverpool?

Parallels to Maradona and Sound Business Strategy

In March, when Salah revealed his decision to leave Liverpool on a free transfer ahead of the final year of his contract, the speculation surrounding his next step quickly intensified.

Saudi Arabia seemed the likely destination, especially following Al Ittihad‘s failed £150 million bid to secure him in the summer of 2023. Following Lionel Messi‘s prominent move to Inter Miami, Salah’s competitive nature might have pushed him to remain in a premier European league.

Even as the possibility of a transfer to the Turkish Süper Lig arose, it initially seemed likely that he would choose one of the country’s “Big Three.” Clubs like Beşiktaş, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe, predominantly located in Istanbul, dominate Turkish football, with an estimated 90% of the nation’s football fandom leaning towards these clubs.

As the reigning league champions, Galatasaray had already accumulated a hefty wage bill, leading to Beşiktaş becoming the most plausible candidate to secure Salah’s signature. Negotiations commenced earlier, but Beşiktaş’s sporting director, Önder Özent, announced they had stepped back after reaching a financial deadlock.

In a press conference last week, Özent indicated that terms set by Salah’s long-term agent, Ramy Abas Issa, halted the process. Consequently, with Beşiktaş out of the running, Trabzonspor stepped in, offering Salah a two-year deal reportedly worth around €17 million per season.

Initially, his choice seems puzzling, especially since part of Salah’s motivation to leave Liverpool was a desire to continue performing at the highest level. Trabzonspor finished third in last season’s Süper Lig and will have to compete in a qualifier to enter this year’s Europa League, which represents a decline for a player of Salah’s caliber.

Yet, a deeper analysis sheds light on the attractiveness of the transfer. Trabzonspor presents Salah and his family with the opportunity to remain in Europe and reside in one of the most vibrant cities along Turkey’s Black Sea coast. He sidesteps the significant pay cut associated with a move to Spain or Italy and stands to benefit from the country’s favorable tax policies, all while being just a two-hour flight from Egypt.

Moreover, comparisons can be drawn with Diego Maradona’s remarkable 1984 transfer from Barcelona to Napoli, where the Argentine icon became a legend by bringing the club from relative obscurity to becoming a formidable force in European football. Although Trabzonspor has secured seven league titles, only one has come in the past 42 years, with their latest victory in 2021-22 igniting ecstatic celebrations throughout the region.

If Salah manages to replicate such success with the club in the upcoming years, he could become a beloved figure among Trabzonspor’s loyal fanbase. From Trabzonspor’s perspective, this signing represents a wise business move as well.

𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞: ON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mqi1DLa9DH

— Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) August 5, 2026

While bringing Salah into the fold is a considerable financial undertaking, his presence instantly boosts the club’s global profile, likely drawing in numerous high-profile sponsorship opportunities. The surge in the club’s social media engagement over the past 24 hours—featuring images of Salah in a No. 61 Trabzonspor jersey aboard a private jet (a number symbolically significant to Trabzon) and later showing him in the No. 10 jersey—highlights the magnitude of this marketing opportunity.

Additionally, signing the most recognized Muslim athlete worldwide resonates deeply in a nation where approximately 99% of the population adheres to Islam.

Thus, for both Salah and Trabzonspor, this transfer is a sound business maneuver intertwined with a touch of romanticism.

Uncertainty Surrounding Liverpool’s Plan Following Salah’s Exit

For Liverpool, this marks the dawn of a new chapter. The club had rewarded Salah with a new contract following an outstanding 2024-25 season, during which he netted 29 goals helping secure the Premier League title.

However, as the Reds’ performance faltered last season, so too did Salah’s rapport with the leadership at Anfield. In December, following three consecutive games on the bench, Salah voiced his displeasure, accusing the club of undermining him and admitting his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had deteriorated.

Though a fragile agreement was reached and Salah returned to the starting lineup, a parting felt increasingly inevitable until the forward officially announced his impending exit in March. The only notable surprise came from Liverpool’s willingness to allow Salah to depart as a free agent, foregoing the final year of his contract.

While this agreement precludes Liverpool from recouping a substantial transfer fee this summer, Salah’s early exit alleviates the burden of his hefty weekly wages, allowing the club to redirect crucial resources toward their ongoing rebuilding efforts. It also spares new head coach Andoni Iraola—who took over from Slot in June—of a potential headache as he sets out to establish his own legacy at Anfield.

Last season, Salah grappled with his new role as a less-than-guaranteed starter, and retaining a discontent superstar could have destabilized the environment for Iraola and his staff. Nevertheless, Liverpool now faces the daunting challenge of replacing a player who has long been seen as irreplaceable throughout his illustrious nine-year tenure on Merseyside.

Despite a dip in form last season, Salah has been a consistent source of goals for Liverpool, amassing an impressive 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions over the years.

With just weeks remaining until the season opener against Newcastle United, uncertainty lingers over who will fill the right wing position in the squad. Reports indicate Liverpool is still in talks regarding a transfer for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, 23, although the club is unwilling to meet PSG’s £145 million asking price.

Even if Barcola joins, his preference is to play on the left wing, as does Víctor Muñoz, who was acquired for £34.5 million from Osasuna in June. Furthermore, Liverpool is also eyeing PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye, a promising 18-year-old winger who is still developing his skills.

The same applies to Rio Ngumoha, a 17-year-old who was a breakout star for Liverpool last season and has been trialed on the right wing during preseason. With less than a month left in the transfer window, Liverpool must act swiftly to finalize their strategy to replace Salah.

One thing is clear: The player stepping into his shoes will have big expectations to meet.