Mohamed Salah’s next destination remains unresolved, his agent insisted on Friday, directly contradicting a flurry of reports from Turkey and France that the Egyptian had agreed terms with Beşiktaş. “I personally don’t know where Mohamed will play next season – what does that mean to you?” Ramy Abbas Issa posted on X, hours after stating that the pair would not engage with clubs merely to generate noise. The intervention came as Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu reported that Salah had shown willingness to lower his initial salary demand of €15 million per year during a first meeting with Beşiktaş representatives, and that the player’s lawyer had arrived in Istanbul, hinting at a near-finalised contract.

The conflicting narratives emerged just days after Salah’s World Cup campaign with Egypt ended in a contentious round-of-16 defeat to Argentina. The 34-year-old had captained the Pharaohs to their first knockout-stage appearance, scoring once and creating 16 chances across five matches – the fourth-highest tally in the tournament, level with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, according to Squawka data cited by An-Nahar. His tournament included a decisive Panenka penalty in the shootout win over Australia and a historic group-stage victory against New Zealand, where he registered his 400th career goal. That international exertions have now given way to a summer break during which Salah, a free agent after nine years at Liverpool, is expected to settle his club future.

French outlet Foot Mercato, via journalist Santi Aouna, first reported a verbal agreement on a one-year deal with an option for a further season, worth a guaranteed €10 million annually plus up to €2 million in bonuses. Gulf News and Haaretz carried the same details, noting that the transfer was not yet completed but that a principle understanding had been reached. Beşiktaş have already strengthened their attack by signing Belgian forward Leandro Trossard from Arsenal, and during his unveiling ceremony, thousands of fans chanted Salah’s name, urging the board to secure the Egyptian. The club’s interest, viewed from Istanbul, forms part of an aggressive summer rebuild.

Abbas Issa’s statements, however, leave open the possibility of other suitors. Reports in the United States, cited by Indonesian outlet Viva.co.id, point to concrete interest from Major League Soccer, with Sporting Kansas City and San Diego FC named as potential destinations. Saudi Arabian clubs, long linked with Salah, have also tabled what Sky News Arabia described as “strong, huge and tempting” offers over the past two years. The agent’s insistence that no discussions will take place with clubs Salah does not wish to join suggests a decision is being shaped by the player’s own preferences rather than a bidding war.

For now, the only certainty is the end of Salah’s Anfield chapter, where he made 442 appearances, scored 257 goals and won eight trophies including the 2019 Champions League. His next move – whether to the Süper Lig, MLS, Saudi Pro League or elsewhere – will be known “very soon”, Abbas said. The transfer window remains open, and the coming days will determine whether the Turkish reports prove prescient or premature.