Egypt star Mohamed Salah nears Al Ittihad move after failed Besiktas switch

Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah is edging closer to a move to Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad after failed Besiktas switch in the current transfer window.

Salah has remained one of the most talked-about names in the transfer market since his departure from Liverpool on June 30. The Egyptian icon left Anfield a year before the expiration of his contract after reaching a mutual agreement with the club regarding an early termination, bringing an end to a legendary chapter on Merseyside.

Since becoming a free agent, the 33-year-old has been heavily linked with clubs across several continents. Teams from Saudi Arabia, the United States and Turkey have all reportedly explored the possibility of signing one of Africa’s greatest footballers, sparking intense speculation about where he would continue his illustrious career.

For much of the past two weeks, Turkish club Besiktas appeared to be leading the race for Salah’s signature. Initially, negotiations had progressed significantly and that an agreement was close. However, the proposed transfer ultimately failed to materialize due to financial disagreements.

With the Turkish option seemingly off the table, attention has shifted back to Saudi Arabia, where clubs have maintained a long-standing interest in the Egyptian captain.

According to reports, former Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad have submitted an official offer to Salah in an attempt to bring him to Jeddah before the start of the new season.

Al-Ittihad proposed a lucrative contract worth approximately $25 million per year, a figure that would place Salah among the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League.

As per reports, the Egyptian forward has accepted the proposal in principle, with the move approaching final stages.

A move to Al-Ittihad would represent one of the biggest transfers in Middle Eastern football and would add another global superstar to a league that has aggressively attracted elite talent in recent years.

For Al-Ittihad, signing Salah would be a major statement of intent. The club has consistently sought world-class reinforcements as it aims to strengthen its position domestically and compete more effectively on the continental stage. Bringing in a player of Salah’s stature would significantly boost both the team’s quality and its global profile.

Salah, meanwhile, remains one of the most recognizable figures in world football. During his time at Liverpool, he established himself as a club legend, winning numerous domestic and international trophies while becoming one of the Premier League’s most prolific goalscorers.

His achievements at Anfield included Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup success, while he also broke several scoring records and earned multiple individual honors.

Even at 33, Salah continues to be regarded as one of the most influential attacking players in the game. His pace, finishing ability, creativity and professionalism have allowed him to maintain an elite level of performance, making him a valuable target for ambitious clubs around the world.

Despite the latest reports, no official confirmation has yet been issued by either Salah’s camp or Al-Ittihad. Until an announcement is made, speculation is likely to continue surrounding the Egyptian star’s next move.

Nevertheless, the latest developments suggest that Saudi Arabia is now the most likely destination for Salah, with Al-Ittihad reportedly moving closer to securing one of the most high-profile free-agent signings of the summer transfer window.

Should the deal be completed, it would mark the beginning of a new chapter in the career of one of African football’s greatest-ever players and provide the Saudi Pro League with another marquee attraction ahead of the 2026/27 season.