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Besiktas supporters have begun to cool on a proposed move for Egyptian star Mohamed Salah after reported financial demands from his agent held up negotiations.
The Istanbul club stepped up its transfer activity after bringing in Italian coach Vincenzo Italiano, setting out to build a squad capable of competing in both the Trendyol Super Lig, Türkiye's top-flight football division, and the UEFA Europa League.
Besiktas, widely known as the Black Eagles, brought in Belgian winger Leandro Trossard, who won the Premier League with Arsenal and reached the UEFA Champions League final.
The club also completed deals for German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel and Türkiye international midfielder Salih Ozcan as it continued to strengthen the squad.
Attention later turned to Salah following his departure from Liverpool. Football director Onder Ozen and Italiano reportedly signed off on the sporting side of the proposed transfer, but the deal failed to move forward because of demands attributed to the player's agent.
Supporters had initially thrown their weight behind the move during Trossard's signing ceremony at Tupras Stadium, chanting Salah's name and calling on the club to bring the Egyptian forward to Istanbul.
However, enthusiasm began to fade after reports about the agent's financial demands came out.
Many fans took to social media to praise club President Serdal Adali for protecting Besiktas' interests. Some said they still wanted to see Salah in the black-and-white shirt but maintained that "his agent's demands are unacceptable" and that "the club was right to abandon the transfer."
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