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Türkiye’s reigning champion Galatasaray has reportedly intensified its efforts to assess whether it can pursue a short-term deal for Mohamed Salah after the forward publicly voiced frustration at Liverpool following a recent spell on the bench, according to Turkish media reports.
According to reports, the club is assessing whether its Champions League campaign could help attract the 33-year-old, whose future in England has become uncertain.
Salah has been left out of Liverpool’s starting lineup for three consecutive matches, most recently in a league game against Leeds United. After the match, he said he felt as if he had been "thrown under the bus," adding that he believed there were people at the club who no longer wanted him. He also indicated that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had deteriorated.
Salah suggested that the Premier League fixture against Brighton on Dec. 13 could be his last appearance for the club, further reinforcing speculation around an early departure. British media reports have suggested that Liverpool’s U.S. ownership group reacted negatively to Salah’s recent remarks and asked him to apologise publicly, adding that the tensions have contributed to renewed interest from clubs monitoring his situation.
Salah currently earns a net salary of €14 million ($16.3 million) per year under a contract that expires in the summer of 2027, while Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal has been in contact with his representatives for some time, preparing an offer reportedly worth €200 million annually.
On the other hand, the Turkish media suggest that Galatasaray is exploring a different strategy, aiming to convince the player to consider a half-season loan, using its Champions League participation as leverage, and then negotiate a permanent transfer at a later stage if both sides are aligned.
This mirrors the approach the club used in its discussions with striker Victor Osimhen earlier in the year, which resulted in a record-breaking €75 million move from Napoli to Istanbul side.
Salah was notably impressed by the atmosphere created by Galatasaray supporters during the club’s 1–0 Champions League victory over Liverpool, and told midfielder Ilkay Gundogan that he was struck by the support shown during the match, Turkish media reported after the match. The Lions’ board is said to believe that the player’s favourable impression of the fan base, as well as the environment at Rams Park, could strengthen its talks with his side.
Although Salah scored 29 Premier League goals in the 2024–25 season as the Reds won the title, his form has dipped since then, with only four goals in 13 league appearances this campaign.
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