Trabzonspor have announced that they have opened formal negotiations to sign Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, potentially paving the way for one of the most high-profile transfers of the window.
The Turkish club confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official account on X on Tuesday evening.
“Negotiations have begun over Mohamed Salah’s transfer to our club,” the statement said.
Trabzonspor did not provide any further details about the discussions. The club has not disclosed the proposed transfer fee, the length of any possible contract or how far negotiations have progressed between the two parties.
Minutes before the statement was published, Trabzonspor’s official account posted a video showing Egypt’s pyramids. The footage was widely presented as a signal that the club was close to reaching an agreement with Salah.
Turkish media reports had previously claimed that Trabzonspor had reached an agreement with Salah and his agent, Ramy Abbas, over a two-year contract.
The same reports said Salah was expected to travel to Turkey within the next few hours to sign the deal, with an official announcement of the transfer to follow.
However, Trabzonspor’s statement only confirmed the start of formal negotiations and did not say that a transfer had been completed.
Salah, 34, has been linked with a number of clubs since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season. One of the strongest links had been with another Turkish side, Besiktas, although those negotiations subsequently broke down.
The Egypt international has also been associated with several Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Diriyah.
Those links had placed Salah at the centre of considerable transfer speculation before Trabzonspor made its announcement. The club’s use of the pyramids in its social media post added to the expectation that it was preparing to make a significant move for the former Liverpool player.
For now, the available information indicates that negotiations are under way rather than that the transfer has been finalised. Trabzonspor have not announced an agreement over personal terms, a contract, a fee or a scheduled medical.
A separate video also circulated showing a supporter asking Salah to join Trabzonspor, followed by the player’s reaction. The clip was referenced in coverage of the developing story as interest grew in the possibility of the Egyptian moving to Turkey.
The club’s brief statement represents its first official confirmation that Salah is the subject of talks, after reports had linked him with several potential destinations in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.