Besiktas manager Italiano lures Salah with leadership role in club’s revolution

Besiktas head coach Vincenzo Italiano has reportedly made a personal appeal to Egyptian star Mohamed Salah as the Turkish giants continue efforts to secure his signature in the summer transfer window.

Negotiations between Besiktas and the Egypt international have been ongoing for several weeks, but the two parties are yet to reach a final agreement over a move to Istanbul.

Salah became a free agent after his contract with Liverpool expired, making him one of the most sought-after players on the market. However, discussions with Besiktas have recently hit a stumbling block, with reports indicating that the financial demands of the player’s agent, Ramy Abbas, have complicated negotiations.

According to reports, Italiano held a FaceTime conversation with the 34-year-old in a bid to persuade him to join the Black Eagles and become the face of the club’s ambitious rebuilding project.

“We are making a revolution here, and you will be the leader of this revolution.” Italiano told Salah in a phone call conversation.

This underlines Besiktas’ determination to land one of Africa’s greatest footballers as they seek to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours next season.

The Istanbul club has already begun reshaping its squad under Italiano, having secured the signing of Belgian winger Leandro Trossard from Arsenal as part of its summer recruitment drive.

Besiktas are also believed to be pursuing further attacking reinforcements, with former Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and Saudi-based forward Darwin Núñez among the names linked with the club.

While no agreement has yet been reached with Salah, Italiano’s direct intervention highlights how highly Besiktas value the Egyptian captain, viewing him as the marquee signing capable of leading a new era at the club.