Trabzonspor chief reveals how Mohamed Salah deal was sealed in five days

Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan provided insight into how the club secured the services of Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah within a span of five to six days. The negotiations began after Beşiktaş's talks with Salah fell through, and Trabzonspor had been on his radar since the World Cup. Direct discussions only started once other Turkish clubs withdrew from pursuing the player.

The president explained that in Turkey, there's an unspoken rule of waiting one's turn when negotiations commence with a player. Once the initial Zoom meeting concluded, talks continued while Salah was on holiday. Salah was curious as to why Trabzonspor and not another club, to which Doğan conveyed the city's profound love for football and its unwavering support for the club.

He assured Salah that the fans' passion was unlike anything he had experienced before, adding that the entire city would rally behind him. The two parties swiftly reached an agreement, with Salah joining the club after his departure from Liverpool, despite interest from several high-profile teams. The medical examination for Salah was held in Istanbul, reflecting the club's desire for him to experience the Turkish football culture.

Thousands of fans greeted Salah at Istanbul Airport upon his arrival, a display of appreciation amid a busy workday. Salah's contract is valued at 17 million euros annually, plus 20% of earnings from merchandise bearing his name. While the financial gain for the club may not be immediate, the transfer has positively impacted season ticket sales and heightened commercial interest.

Doğan revealed that nearly 70% of Salah's salary for the year was covered by the surge in season ticket sales shortly after his signing. The club had initially aimed to sell 25,000 season tickets, but expectations have risen to over 30,000, attracting interest from major companies.