Mohamed Salah arrives in Turkey ahead of expected Trabzonspor move

Mohamed Salah, captain of Egypt, has arrived in Turkey to complete his proposed transfer to Trabzonspor, with the club publishing images of the forward on a plane wearing their shirt for the first time.

Salah was pictured in Trabzonspor colours as he travelled to the country, in what would be the first public indication of his connection with the Turkish club.

Trabzonspor had previously confirmed that negotiations with Salah had begun as they prepared to try to sign him. The club said he would arrive at the general aviation terminal of Istanbul Ataturk Airport at midday on Wednesday, before travelling on to Trabzon later the same day.

In a statement outlining his movements, Trabzonspor said: “Mohamed Salah will arrive at the general aviation terminal at Istanbul Ataturk Airport at exactly 12 noon on Wednesday. The player is expected to arrive in Trabzon on Wednesday evening, and the time of his arrival and details of the welcome ceremony in Trabzon will be announced through the club’s official channels.”

Turkish broadcaster HT Spor reported that Salah’s signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday at Papara Park, Trabzonspor’s home stadium.

Transfer journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu, who specialises in the Turkish market, said Trabzonspor had reached a final agreement with Salah. He reported that the player had agreed to a two-year contract with the club.

Sabuncuoglu also said Salah would arrive in Istanbul at 12 noon on Wednesday to sign the paperwork before the transfer was officially announced.

The report follows earlier claims by Turkish newspaper Sabah that Salah was closing in on a move to Trabzonspor after the club made an improved offer. The newspaper said the player would travel to Turkey on Wednesday if he accepted the proposal.

According to that report, Salah would earn an annual salary of 17m euros, in addition to performance-related bonuses. Trabzonspor was also expected to provide him with a private aircraft from Greece, where he is spending his holiday, to take him to Turkey before the official announcement.

Turkish website Ajansspor reported that Trabzonspor had offered Salah a two-season contract worth 17m euros per year, with a further 5m euros available in bonuses. The proposed agreement would also reportedly give Salah 20% of shirt-sale revenue.

If the move is completed, Salah could face a demanding opening schedule with his new club. Trabzonspor are due to play nine matches before the international break in September, including six in the Turkish league and three in the Europa League if they qualify.

Their most prominent domestic fixture in that period is against Galatasaray on 20 September.

The reported schedule at the start of Salah’s expected Trabzonspor career is:

– 15 August: Kasımpasa v Trabzonspor – opening round of the Turkish league – 20 August: Trabzonspor v the winner of Ferencvarosi TC or Gornik Zabrze – Europa League – 23 August: Trabzonspor v Basaksehir – second round of the Turkish league – 27 August: Trabzonspor v the winner of Ferencvarosi TC or Gornik Zabrze – second leg of the Europa League play-off round – 30 August: Amed Sportif Faaliyetler v Trabzonspor – third round of the Turkish league – 6 September: Trabzonspor v Genclerbirligi – fourth round of the Turkish league – 13 September: Konyaspor v Trabzonspor – fifth round of the Turkish league – 17 September: First match in the Europa League group stage, if qualified – 20 September: Trabzonspor v Galatasaray – sixth round of the Turkish league

The club has yet to make the transfer official, although Salah’s arrival in Turkey and his appearance in a Trabzonspor shirt indicate that the deal is moving towards completion.