Salah’s Trabzonspor switch leaves Turkish minister wishing for Besiktas move

Turkey’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, says she feels “disappointed” that Mohamed Salah has joined Trabzonspor rather than her supported club Besiktas.

Salah completed a free transfer to the Turkish club after Trabzonspor secured the signing of the Egypt captain. Goktas, a known Besiktas supporter, had publicly expressed her hope that the former Liverpool forward would move to the Istanbul side.

Speaking at an event, the minister was asked about Trabzonspor completing the deal after Salah’s name had been linked with Besiktas.

“I feel disappointed,” she said. “Only a week ago we were talking about it, and it was said that Trabzonspor were close to signing him.”

Goktas had previously said: “I hope Salah joins Besiktas.”

Despite her disappointment, she welcomed the player’s arrival in Turkey and stressed the wider appeal of the move.

“At least he is coming to Turkey and will raise our flag,” she added. “Trabzonspor are ours and Besiktas are ours. May the best team win.”

“The Turkish people love Salah,” Goktas continued. “We had hoped he would wear the Besiktas shirt, but he has now put on the Trabzonspor shirt. We hope his path is open and that he performs well here.”

Goktas’s comments reflect the rivalry between Besiktas and Trabzonspor. Besiktas are among the clubs she supports, while Trabzonspor are the team Salah has chosen to represent after finalising his move.

The Egypt captain has signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028. He will wear the number 10 shirt.

Salah was presented alongside Trabzonspor chairman Ertugrul Dogan in a ceremony described as exceptional, attracting significant attention from the international sporting community.

The move has generated interest across Turkey, not only because of Salah’s standing in world football but also because of the competition between the clubs involved in the speculation surrounding his future. Before Trabzonspor’s agreement was confirmed, Besiktas supporters had hoped the Egyptian forward would join their team.

Instead, Trabzonspor completed the signing and unveiled Salah in their colours, prompting the public reaction from Goktas. While she had wanted him at Besiktas, the minister said she was pleased that he would be playing in Turkey and ended by wishing both clubs well.