Besiktas’ president, Serdal Adali, has revealed that an “unbelievable” demand from agent Ramy Abbas Issa was the reason a move for Mo Salah collapsed.
Having waited until after the World Cup to decide his new club, Salah agreed a transfer to Besiktas, reported journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu on Friday.
However, in the hours after the story was published, Salah’s agent, Issa, denied it, as did Besiktas in an official statement.
The story has now taken another startling turn, with Besiktas president Adali claiming that Salah had agreed to sign before the deal broke down due to an “unbelievable” demand from his agent.
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal during second half World Cup Group G soccer action against New Zealand, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal during second half World Cup Group G soccer action against New Zealand, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Speaking to WinWin, Adali said: “Salah has given his approval for this transfer and his agent initially responded positively to our offer.
“Salah spoke to both our technical director and our sporting director and gave his approval as well.
“But later, as soon as it was written in the media that ‘the transfer had been completed’, the agent raised the financial demands.
“The agent raised his commission to unbelievable figures, reaching about 35 percent. From our side, such a percentage cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”
Interestingly, the club president added: “We do not believe that Salah is aware of these figures.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 4, 2023: Ramy Abbas Issa, agent of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 4, 2023: Ramy Abbas Issa, agent of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Salah has often left financial matters to his long-time agent, but it wouldn’t reflect well if a move were to break down due to Issa’s personal demands.
In the original story shared by journalist Sabuncuoglu, he claimed that Salah had reduced his salary demands of around £250,000 per week and that talks were now ongoing over the length of his contract.
Despite his claims being contested, the reporter stuck to his guns and wrote: “My respect for Besiktas is endless, but I stand by my Salah story.
“Mohamed Salah, whose news I broke first in Turkey, has reached an agreement with Besiktas. The official signing hasn’t happened yet.
“Hopefully, we’ll also get to share the signing news with our Besiktas fan friends. Best regards.”
Previous interest in Mo Salah from Fenerbahce
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the crowd as he is substituted off injured during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the crowd as he is substituted off injured during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While a move to Besiktas now hangs in the balance, it is at least becoming apparent that Salah is interested in joining a Turkish club.
Earlier in the summer, former Fenerbahce former executive Ertan Torunogullar told Fotosport: “He was very keen on coming to Turkiye.
“The meetings we had were extremely positive. We had established common ground with him on many issues, including his salary.”
Salah’s agent is known as a tough negotiator. If Besiktas want the Egyptian, they may have to give in to the businessman’s desires.
If it is true, though, that Issa asked for such a high commission behind Salah’s back, the player will surely have to take matters into his own hands.
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Doha, Qatar. 27th Nov, 2025. Tomas Soares (L) of Portugal vies with Ifeanyi Arthur Ndukwe of Austria during the final match between Portugal and Austria at the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025 in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 27, 2025. Portugal won 1-0. Credit: Nikku/Xi
Doha, Qatar. 27th Nov, 2025. Tomas Soares (L) of Portugal vies with Ifeanyi Arthur Ndukwe of Austria during the final match between Portugal and Austria at the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025 in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 27, 2025. Portugal won 1-0. Credit: Nikku/Xi
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Manu Kone (France U21) (Image: Maurizio Borsari/AFLO/Alamy Live News)