Turkish seller pledges half a tonne of watermelon if Mohamed Salah joins Besiktas

A Turkish fruit seller has promised to give away half a tonne of watermelon for free if Egypt forward Mohamed Salah completes a move to Besiktas, amid growing reports that the club are close to signing the former Liverpool star.

Footage of the vendor making his pledge was shared on Instagram by Al Jazeera’s Turkish news account, showing him vowing to distribute 500kg of watermelon to celebrate Salah’s arrival in Istanbul.

The light-hearted gesture comes as reports in Turkey suggest negotiations over Salah’s proposed transfer to Besiktas are reaching their final stages following his departure from Liverpool this summer.

Agent commission seen as last hurdle

According to Turkish broadcaster NTVSpor, Besiktas have already reached an agreement in principle with Salah himself, leaving the commission demanded by his agent as the final obstacle to a deal.

The reports say the club, led by president Serdal Adalı, has been in ongoing talks with Salah’s representative Ramy Abbas. Despite what were described as high initial financial demands, Besiktas are said to have maintained a calm and strategic approach in negotiations.

NTVSpor reported that Abbas originally requested a 35% commission as part of the transfer arrangements. However, he is understood to have gradually reduced his demands, bringing the parties closer to a full agreement.

Sources cited by the Turkish outlet indicate that the contracts are now nearing the stage where they can be signed, provided the remaining details with Abbas are resolved.

Club closing in on announcement

The same reports claim Besiktas are now “close” to making an official announcement regarding the signing of Salah, pending final agreement on the commission and any outstanding contractual points with his agent.

It is suggested that once those issues are settled, the Turkish club intend to confirm the transfer publicly, ending weeks of speculation linking the “Egyptian Pharaoh” with a move to the Super Lig.

Interest from Turkey has intensified since Salah’s exit from Liverpool at the end of the season, with Besiktas emerging as the leading contender for his signature.

For now, though, the clearest sign of local anticipation has come not from the club but from the streets, where one optimistic watermelon seller has turned the saga into a promise of a very public celebration if Salah does indeed pull on the black and white of Besiktas.