Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been pictured in a Trabzonspor shirt, signaling his imminent transfer to the Turkish club. The Egyptian forward was seen on a private jet en route to Turkey, wearing the team’s jersey adorned with his name and the number 61. In a video message released by Trabzonspor, Salah addressed supporters, stating, “Trabzon are you ready, I can hear you. See you very soon.”

Salah’s move comes after he became a free agent, having agreed to terminate the final year of his contract with Liverpool. He had been on holiday in Mykonos, Greece, following his participation with Egypt in the World Cup. The transfer saga has generated significant interest, with Trabzonspor fans gathering at the airport ahead of his arrival.

Journey to Turkey and Fan Anticipation

The player departed from Mykonos Airport around 10:30 AM on a private jet. Trabzonspor had invited fans to participate in a live stream tracking Salah’s flight, underscoring the excitement surrounding his potential move. While Besiktas were initially rumored to be the Egyptian’s preferred choice, negotiations with them reportedly stalled.

Trabzonspor officially announced their negotiations with Salah on Tuesday night, informing their 1.9 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) about his travel plans and a planned welcome event. The club’s public announcement read: “Public Announcement: Negotiations have begun regarding the transfer of professional footballer Mohamed Salah to our Club.”

Further details were provided: “Professional footballer Mohamed Salah, with whom we have begun transfer negotiations, will be at Istanbul Atatürk Airport General Aviation Terminal at 12:00 on Wednesday, August 5. The player is scheduled to arrive in Trabzon on the same day in the evening hours. The time and other details regarding the welcome program in Trabzon will be shared with the public through our club’s official communication channels during the day.”

The club also released a short video, seemingly generated with AI, showing a panoramic view from pyramids over mountains to their 41,000-capacity stadium, Papara Park, building anticipation for Salah’s arrival.

Salah’s Liverpool Departure and Future Prospects

Mohamed Salah’s future has been a topic of intense speculation since his surprising decision in March to leave Liverpool one year before his contract was set to expire. Many had predicted a move to Saudi Arabia, particularly after Al-Ittihad made a substantial £150 million bid in the summer of 2023. However, Trabzonspor now appears set to secure the winger’s signature.

Salah is reportedly nearing a two-year deal with the Turkish side. His departure from Liverpool follows a season where his goal-scoring output, while still significant, dipped compared to previous campaigns. He scored ten goals last term, a notable decrease from the 34 goals that spearheaded Liverpool’s title charge in the 2024-25 season. This marks the end of a highly successful era for Salah at Anfield, where he became the club’s third-highest goalscorer with 255 goals and earned numerous individual accolades, including three PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards.

Despite the dip in form last season, Salah is known for his exceptional professionalism and is expected to maintain a high level of performance into his thirties. His agent, Ramy Abbas, had consistently maintained that no decisions were finalized until after the World Cup, after which negotiations with interested clubs reportedly accelerated.

Trabzonspor’s Ambitions and Squad Context

Trabzonspor, who finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season behind Fenerbahce and champions Galatasaray, are aiming to strengthen their squad significantly with Salah’s potential arrival. If the transfer is confirmed, Salah would become the most high-profile signing in the club’s history. He would join a squad that includes Manchester United loanee Andre Onana and former Manchester City defender Stefan Savic. Trabzonspor has a rich history, having won their domestic league title seven times.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are yet to announce a direct replacement for Salah. With the new season approaching, Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, valued at £145 million, has been mentioned as a potential target. However, Barcola primarily plays on the left wing, and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has cautioned against viewing him as a direct replacement for Salah.

Conclusion

Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor appears to be on the cusp of completion, marked by his appearance in the club’s kit and his direct address to fans. This transfer signifies a new chapter for the prolific forward after a distinguished career at Liverpool, and a significant acquisition for the Turkish club as they look to bolster their squad for future competitions.