Kamal Ghorui
What had long looked like a straightforward, high-value move away from Europe is no longer as certain, with Mohamed Salah now leaning towards an unexpected alternative that has emerged quietly in the background of his exit from Liverpool FC. Earlier speculation had linked him with a move to Saudi side Al Nassr FC, but that pathway is now less clear as other options develop. The 33-year-old has already confirmed that his nine-year spell on Merseyside will come to an end this summer, but while the financial pull of the Saudi Pro League remains strong, discussions taking place elsewhere suggest his next step may not follow the expected script.
Fenerbahçe talks and salary expectations
According to Turkish outlet A Spor, Fenerbahçe have held two meetings with Salah’s agent as they explore the possibility of bringing him to Istanbul, with reporter Erdem Akbaş stating that club representative Ertan Torunoğulları has been directly involved in the discussions. During those talks, Salah is reported to have outlined salary expectations of around £333,000 per week, which aligns closely with his current earnings at Liverpool and would place him among the highest-paid players in Europe. The same report indicates that Salah is seeking an annual salary of approximately €20 million and has made clear that he wants to continue his career in Europe rather than leave the continent at this stage. A third round of talks had been scheduled following Fenerbahçe’s recent derby against Galatasaray, but negotiations were paused due to a club election decision, leaving the situation open but active.
Fenerbahçe context and squad build
Fenerbahçe, based in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul and founded in 1907, remains one of Türkiye’s most prominent and widely supported clubs, competing in the Turkish Süper Lig and regularly involved in European competitions through UEFA.The club has a history of attracting high-profile names, including Roberto Carlos, who spent three seasons there between 2007 and 2009, and Mesut Özil, who joined in 2021 before later moving to İstanbul Başakşehir and retiring in 2023.More recently, the squad has been strengthened with players such as Ederson, Leroy Sané and N’Golo Kanté, reflecting an aggressive recruitment strategy.Former manager José Mourinho, who took charge in June 2024, was dismissed on August 29, 2025 after failing to qualify for the Champions League group stages.With three weeks remaining in the current Süper Lig season, Fenerbahçe sit seven points behind their arch-nemesis, Galatasaray, leaving their title hopes hanging but not mathematically over.
Contract situation and Liverpool exit timeline
Salah’s departure comes despite having signed a contract extension last summer that was due to run until 2027, with Liverpool opting to allow the Egypt international to leave on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign. His final weeks at the club have been complicated by injury, after he was forced off during a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on April 25 with what the club later described as a “minor” muscle issue. He was substituted just before the hour mark and took time to acknowledge the Anfield crowd as he left the pitch, an emotional moment that raised concerns it could have been his final appearance at the stadium. Liverpool later confirmed in a statement: “Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season. “The No 11 was substituted during the second half of last Saturday’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Anfield. “It is, however, anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26’s conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer.” Manager Arne Slot remains hopeful that Salah will feature again before the campaign ends, with fixtures against Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Aston Villa and Brentford FC still to come.
Saudi Pro League interest and alternative options
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League remain the leading contenders for Salah’s signature according to Betfair odds, priced at 8/11, with the league’s financial strength and long-term recruitment strategy continuing to target global stars. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has long viewed Salah as a central figure in raising the league’s global profile, potentially positioning him alongside players such as Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Major League Soccer is considered the next most likely destination at 15/8, reflecting its growing appeal as a competitive and commercially attractive league, while a return to AS Roma is priced at 10/1. Roma remains a sentimental option given Salah’s previous spell in Italy, where he scored 19 goals and helped the club reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Other clubs listed in the betting market include FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United at 11/1, followed by AC Milan and Real Madrid at 12/1, with Juventus at 14/1, Bayern Munich at 22/1 and Tottenham Hotspur at 25/1.
Current season performance and valuation
Salah’s individual output remains strong, with the forward recording 12 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances this season, while his current market valuation is estimated at around €30 million. Despite the injury setback, there is an expectation within Liverpool that he will return before the campaign concludes, potentially allowing him to make a final appearance at Anfield in the closing fixture against Brentford on May 24, 2026.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah smiles as he sits on the pitch after getting injured during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace in Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
For Egypt, the timing of his recovery also carries significance ahead of international commitments, particularly with the 2026 World Cup just a few weeks away, given his previous experience playing at less than full fitness during the 2018 World Cup.
Decision still open as next move takes shape
While Saudi Arabia continues to offer the most financially lucrative pathway, the conversations taking place with Fenerbahçe, and Salah’s reported preference to remain in Europ, have introduced a new dimension to what had appeared to be a settled transfer narrative. With negotiations paused but not collapsed, and multiple markets still in play, the final decision remains unresolved, with Salah’s next move likely to define the closing phase of a 14-year career at the top level of European football.
