Besiktas has temporarily frozen negotiations to sign Egyptian star Mohamed Salah due to disagreements over financial terms [1, 2].
The stalemate represents a significant hurdle for the Istanbul-based club as it attempts to secure one of the world's most high-profile forwards. A successful transfer would mark a major shift in the Turkish league's competitive landscape and commercial reach.
Under Ozan Uslan, the club's sporting director, Besiktas entered talks to bring the forward to Turkey. However, the process stalled after the club encountered specific financial demands regarding image rights and agent commissions [1, 2]. According to the dossier, these requests exceed the club's established payment structures.
Uslan addressed the deadlock by highlighting the novelty of the requests. "The issue of image rights represents a financial demand that the club has never provided to any player or employee throughout its history," Uslan said [1].
The club has not previously granted such image rights agreements to any staff member, or athlete. This rigid internal policy has created a gap between the expectations of the player's representation and the club's financial framework [1, 2].
While the negotiations are currently suspended, the club has not officially withdrawn its interest in the player. The freeze remains a temporary measure while the parties assess whether a compromise on commissions, and image ownership is possible [1, 2].
“Besiktas has temporarily frozen negotiations to sign Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.”
This deadlock highlights the tension between the global market value of elite athletes and the traditional financial structures of regional clubs. By refusing to set a precedent with image rights, Besiktas is prioritizing long-term fiscal policy over the immediate prestige of a superstar signing, signaling that even high-profile targets must adhere to the club's internal financial governance.
