Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is set to join Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor on a free transfer after bringing an end to his remarkable nine-year stay at Anfield.
The Egypt international leaves Liverpool by mutual agreement a year before the expiry of his contract, departing as one of the club’s greatest-ever players after scoring 257 goals in 442 appearances.
Salah helped the Reds win multiple major honours, including two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Trabzonspor have confirmed they are in negotiations with Salah, who has travelled to Turkey to complete the move.
Statement signing for Turkish football
Salah’s arrival represents one of the biggest signings in Turkish football in recent years, with the 34-year-old choosing a move to Trabzonspor despite attracting interest from elsewhere following his departure from Liverpool.
Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Transfer Show, former Premier League defender John Curtis believes financial considerations have played a role in Salah’s decision, while acknowledging the challenges of adapting to a different level of competition.
“The obvious one is the money. I’m sure. I think it’s rumoured to be £17m a year or something like that,” Curtis said.
“So you know that translates to a little bit less maybe than he was earning at Liverpool, and probably significantly less than he could have got in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s very easy to play with top players. So, is this a step down?
“Obviously, those players are very good players, but Mo Salah is used to working with the very best, and that impacts you as a player.
“So, again, it becomes a little bit of a shock.”
A legacy only few have matched
Salah leaves behind an extraordinary legacy at Liverpool, where he established himself as the club’s third-highest goalscorer and one of the Premier League’s defining players of his generation.
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