What had long seemed a straightforward, high-priced move away from Europe is no longer so certain, with Mohamed Salah now leaning towards an unexpected option that has quietly emerged in the wake of his exit from Liverpool FC. Earlier speculation had linked him to a move to Saudi side Al Nassr FC, but that route is now less clear as other options developed. The 33-year-old has already confirmed that his nine-year tenure on Merseyside will end this summer, but while the financial pull of the Saudi Pro League remains strong, discussions elsewhere suggest his next move 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 reporting that the club’s representative Erton Torunogullari has been directly involved in the discussions. During those talks Salah reportedly outlined salary expectations of around £333,000 per week, which matches his current earnings at Liverpool and would put him among the highest-paid players in Europe. The same report indicates that Salah is demanding an annual salary of around €20 million and has made it clear that he wants to continue his career in Europe rather than leave the continent at this stage. A third round of talks was scheduled after Fenerbahçe’s recent derby against Galatasaray, but talks were put on hold due to the club election decision, leaving the situation open but active.
Fenerbahçe references and squad formation
Fenerbahçe, based in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul and founded in 1907, is one of Turkey’s most prominent and widely supported clubs, competing in the Turkish Süper Lig and regularly appearing 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 Ozil, who later joined Istanbul Basaksehir in 2021 before moving to Istanbul Basaksehir and retiring in 2023.Recently, the squad has been strengthened with players such as Ederson, Leroy Sané and N’Golo Kante, reflecting an aggressive recruitment strategy.Former manager José Mourinho, who took charge in June 2024, was sacked on August 29, 2025 after failing to qualify for the Champions League group stages.With three weeks remaining in the current Super Lig season, Fenerbahçe are seven points behind arch-rivals Galatasaray, leaving their title hopes in limbo but not mathematically over.
Contract status and timeline of exit from Liverpool
Salah’s departure comes despite signing a contract extension last summer which 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 were complicated by injury, he was forced off during a 3–1 win over Crystal Palace on 25 April with what the club later described as a “minor” muscle problem. He was substituted just before the hour mark and took time to acknowledge the Anfield crowd as he walked off the field, an emotional moment which led to concerns that it could be his final appearance at the stadium. Liverpool later confirmed in a statement: “Liverpool FC can confirm that Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season. “The number 11 was substituted during the second half of the Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Anfield last Saturday. “However, the expectation is that Salah will return to action before the conclusion of 2025-26 and his departure from the Reds this summer.” Manager Arne Slott is hopeful of Salah playing again before the end of the campaign, with fixtures against Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Aston Villa and Brentford FC still remaining.
Saudi Pro League interest and alternative options
Saudi Pro League clubs remain the leading contenders for Salah’s signature, who are priced at 8/11 according to Betfair odds, with the league’s financial strength and long-term recruitment strategy continuing to target global stars. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has long seen Salah as a central figure in raising the league’s global profile, potentially placing him alongside players such as Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Major League Soccer is thought to be 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 remain an emotional option given Salah’s previous spell in Italy, where he scored 19 goals and helped the club reach the Champions League quarter-finals. The other clubs listed in the betting market are FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United at 11/1, followed by AC Milan and Real Madrid at 12/1, Juventus at 14/1, Bayern Munich at 22/1 and Tottenham Hotspur at 25/1.
Current season performance and evaluation
Salah’s individual performances continue to be strong, with the forward registering 12 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances this season, while his current market valuation is estimated to be around €30 million. Despite the injury setback, there is an expectation within Liverpool that he will return before the end of the campaign, potentially allowing him to make a final appearance at Anfield in the closing match against Brentford on May 24, 2026.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah smiles as he sits on the field after being injured during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
For Egypt, his recovery time is also important ahead of international commitments, especially with the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, given their previous experience of playing at less than full fitness during the 2018 World Cup.
The decision is still open as the next step takes shape
While Saudi Arabia appears to be offering the most financially attractive route, ongoing talks with Fenerbahce and Salah’s stated preference to remain in Europe have introduced a new dimension to an established transfer narrative. With talks stalled but not collapsed, and many markets still in play, with the final decision unresolved, Salah’s next move is likely to define the closing stages of a 14-year career at the top level of European football.