Fatih Terim praises Mohamed Salah transfer ahead of Trabzonspor v Galatasaray

Fatih Terim has described Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor as one of the most significant transfers in the history of Turkish football, while claiming the Egyptian forward turned down interest backed by substantial financial offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The comments come before Trabzonspor host traditional rivals Galatasaray at Papara Park in the sixth round of the Turkish top flight.

Trabzonspor are ninth in the table with seven points and will be looking to recover in front of their home supporters. Galatasaray arrive as leaders on 13 points, having made an almost perfect start, and will be aiming to strengthen their position at the top.

Terim, the former Galatasaray and Turkey manager, said persuading a player of Salah’s stature to join Trabzonspor had appeared almost impossible given the alternatives available to him.

“We are talking about a player who has been at the highest level for years with Liverpool and has won everything – the Europa League, the Champions League and Club World Cups,” Terim said, in comments reported by Turkish website 61saat.

“He is a player who cannot be replaced. Every club in the world would want to sign him. Clubs from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were ready to pay huge sums for him, not to mention the giants of the Spanish, Italian and English leagues.

“But in the end, he chose Trabzonspor, and that in itself is a great achievement.”

Terim also paid tribute to Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan and the club’s board for completing the deal.

“President Ertugrul Dogan and his administration deserve every appreciation and congratulations,” he said. “Bringing in a player of this global value is not easy at all. He could go anywhere he wanted.

“What happened is a major achievement and deserves recognition.”

The former Galatasaray manager’s praise comes as Salah has made a fast start to life in the Trendyol Super Lig. He has scored four goals and provided one assist in five appearances, establishing himself as the competition’s leading figure.

The meeting at Papara Park is expected to be particularly significant for both sides. Trabzonspor are seeking to climb from the lower half of the standings, while Galatasaray are attempting to extend their early advantage at the summit.