Why Turkey... and Trabzon in particular?

The Athletic network outlined the reasons behind Mohamed Salah’s decision to play in Turkey, specifically with Trabzonspor, as follows:

The absence of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe from the race to sign the Egyptian star, along with Besiktas’s withdrawal, created a favorable opportunity for Trabzonspor to enter the fray strongly. Benefiting from the lack of local competition, the club became the only European side capable of meeting Salah’s financial demands.

The motivations for the choice were not limited to financial considerations alone. The report indicates that the calm lifestyle in Trabzon, compared to Istanbul, likely played a role in the decision, particularly since Salah had grown accustomed during his years at Liverpool to living away from the hustle and bustle of major cities. Additionally, moving to a country with a Muslim majority provides him with a familiar social and cultural environment after more than a decade spent outside Egypt.

The report clarifies that the Turkish club will not rely on UEFA Champions League revenue, but rather on major sponsorship deals, most notably with Turkish Airlines and TOGG, the electric vehicle manufacturer. These partnerships provided the necessary financial resources to complete one of the most expensive transfers in the history of Turkish football.

The report suggests that Salah’s arrival is part of a fierce competition to break Galatasaray’s monopoly on the Turkish Super Lig title, after the club won the championship in the last four seasons. Consequently, rival clubs rushed to strengthen their squads: Besiktas signed Belgian forward Leandro Trossard, while Fenerbahçe acquired English forward Mason Greenwood and Dutch defender Nathan Ake. Trabzonspor, meanwhile, is betting on Salah’s influence to lead their new project.