Trabzonspor chief reveals how Mohamed Salah deal was sealed in five days

Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan has revealed details of the negotiations that led to Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah joining the Turkish club, explaining that an agreement was reached within about five or six days after the club began talks with Salah’s representatives following the collapse of his negotiations with Beşiktaş.

Speaking to the BBC, Doğan said Trabzonspor had been interested in signing Salah since the World Cup, but knew the player was also in talks with other clubs. Direct discussions only began after other Turkish teams interested in Salah withdrew from the race.

The club president explained that there is an unwritten rule in Turkey that clubs wait their turn when one begins negotiations with a player. He added: “Yes, there were other Turkish clubs interested, but after they announced their withdrawal, we started negotiations. I think it took about five or six days to reach an agreement.”

Negotiations began with a Zoom meeting, which Doğan described as an initial introduction between the parties before talks resumed later while Salah was on holiday.

How did Trabzonspor convince Salah?

Doğan said Salah asked why he chose Trabzonspor specifically, to which the president responded with a message focused on the city’s deep connection with the club and its passionate fans.

He said: “Rest assured, you will meet a group of supporters unlike any you have seen before. You will feel the genuine love these people have. The entire city is passionate about football. We are the largest city in the world that supports a single club.”

Doğan added: “We are working to make Trabzonspor and the city itself a destination for talented young players from around the world.”

The two sides reached a swift agreement, with Salah joining Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool, despite being linked to several major clubs, including Beşiktaş, whose negotiations with him had broken down.

Why did Salah undergo his medical in Istanbul?

Doğan explained that Salah’s medical was conducted in Istanbul rather than Trabzon because the club wanted him to experience the kind of welcome he could expect in Turkey as a whole, not just in Trabzon.

He said thousands of fans gathered at the airport to greet Salah upon his arrival in Istanbul, despite the reception taking place in the middle of a workday.

Salah’s salary and the deal’s impact on Trabzonspor

Salah will earn an annual salary of 17 million euros, in addition to receiving 20% of the proceeds from merchandise bearing his name.

Doğan emphasized that the deal does not bring direct financial profit to the club, but noted the significant impact Salah’s arrival has had on season ticket sales and commercial interest in Trabzonspor.

He said: “From a purely financial perspective, this transfer does not generate any direct profit.” He added: “We raised season ticket prices this year and had to increase them again. I told our fans: Look, I am bringing you Salah, one of the world’s biggest stars.”

The Trabzonspor president revealed that nearly 70% of Salah’s salary for this year was covered by season ticket sales made in the four or five days following the announcement of his signing.

He explained that the club’s initial goal was to sell 25,000 season tickets, but expectations have now risen to over 30,000, as major companies have begun contacting the club to capitalize on the growing interest in Salah.