Transfer market is full of surprises: Salah and Trossard could become teammates

One wing belongs to Leandro Trossard. The other could soon be occupied by Mohamed Salah.

That is the dream Besiktas are trying to turn into reality.

The Istanbul giants have become one of the busiest clubs in Europe these days, spending close to €50 million on new signings already, and their ambition appears to have no limits. After convincing Trossard to swap Arsenal for Turkey, they have now set their sights on one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

Trossard to leave Arsenal for Turkey

According to respected Turkish transfer insider Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Besiktas have already submitted an official offer for Salah, with negotiations now gathering momentum.

The Egypt captain is available on a free transfer after ending his legendary spell at Liverpool, where he left as the club's third-highest goalscorer in history. With the FIFA World Cup now behind him, the 34-year-old is expected to decide on the next chapter of his career.

Turkish reports claim Salah initially asked for an annual salary of €15 million, a figure Besiktas considered beyond their reach. But the latest round of talks has reportedly produced a breakthrough, with the former Liverpool star willing to lower his demands in order to complete the move.

Salah doesn’t want Saudi Arabia, but Europe instead – Fenerbahce have been waiting for this

The proposed deal would reportedly be a one-year contract, worth less than the initial figure requested, with an automatic extension for a further season valued at around €12 million. Salah is also said to be seeking a share of shirt-sale revenue - another condition Besiktas are reportedly ready to accept.

Adding further fuel to the speculation, Turkish media report that Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, has already arrived in Istanbul, with negotiations entering what is described as their final phase.

If the deal is completed, Besiktas supporters could be preparing for another unforgettable airport welcome - just days after Trossard received a hero's reception upon his arrival.

Salah, however, has not been short of options.

Saudi Pro League clubs have continued their long-running pursuit after coming close to signing him last year, while MLS has also been linked with the Egyptian icon. Reports even suggested San Diego FC, whose majority owner is British-Egyptian businessman Mohamed Mansour, were interested in bringing the Liverpool legend to the United States.

Inter Milan were also mentioned earlier in the summer, although those rumours have since cooled. For now, however, Besiktas appear to have stolen a march on every rival.

The Black Eagles have already landed one Premier League star in Trossard. If they can now convince Salah to join him, they will have pulled off one of the most spectacular transfer windows in European football.