So the rumour mill is churning out something genuinely interesting this week: Besiktas have reportedly offered Mo Salah a one-year contract with an automatic extension, worth around €12 million a year, and they're discussing a revenue-sharing mechanism tied to his jersey sales. Salah is apparently open to the idea. Now, before you lot start screaming 'clickbait' or 'no chance', let's actually unpack this because the jersey sales angle is the bit that makes me sit up straight.
Wait, players getting a cut of shirt sales? That's actually a big deal.
For years, the standard line from clubs has been that individual player shirt sales don't move the needle because the kit manufacturer takes the lion's share and the club spreads the rest across the whole squad. That's mostly true. But a revenue-sharing agreement directly with the player? That's a different beast. It means Besiktas are essentially saying: 'Mo, we know you'll shift a ridiculous number of shirts in Turkey and beyond, so here's a slice.' It's a smart way to bridge the gap between what they can afford in base salary and what a player of his commercial stature is actually worth. I've seen bonuses for goals, assists, appearances, even Ballon d'Or clauses. But shirt sales? That's rare at this level. It's the kind of creative deal-making that mid-tier clubs have to use to compete with the oil-money giants.
Would Salah actually go to the Super Lig?
Look, I get the skepticism. The Super Lig isn't the Premier League. The pace is different, the defending is... let's say 'adventurous'. But Salah is 33 now (as of 2025). He's won everything at club level. He's a legend at Liverpool. Maybe the idea of being the main man in a passionate football city like Istanbul, with a fanbase that will absolutely worship him, is appealing. Plus, a one-year deal with an automatic extension based on performance or appearances gives him flexibility. He's not locking himself into a three-year slog. And let's be honest: the Turkish league has become a bit of a retirement home for big names, but Salah is still performing at a top level. He'd be the biggest signing in Besiktas history, easily. The commercial boost alone would be insane. I'm not saying it's happening, but I'm saying it's not as crazy as it sounds.
Why this could be a template for other clubs
This is the part that really gets me excited as a fan of football business. If Besiktas pull this off, and Salah's shirts fly off the shelves, you'll see smaller clubs trying similar deals with aging superstars. Instead of paying a huge transfer fee and massive wages, you offer a lower base plus a cut of the merch revenue. It aligns incentives: the player wants to sell shirts, the club wants to sell shirts, everyone's happy. It could be the antidote to the current model where only state-backed clubs can afford the biggest names. Obviously, it only works for players with massive global appeal, but there are more of those than you'd think. I'd love to see a mid-table La Liga club try this with a returning hero. The potential is huge.
The kit nerd angle: what would a Salah Besiktas shirt look like?
Okay, I have to go here because I'm a shirt collector first and foremost. Imagine Salah in that black and white Besiktas kit. The vertical stripes, the crest, the 'BJK' on the back. It would be a thing of beauty. Adidas makes their kits, and they've had some absolute bangers over the years. The 2024/25 home shirt was clean, but a Salah version would sell out in minutes. I'd be tempted myself, and I don't even support Besiktas. The away kit in that dark blue? Chef's kiss. If this transfer happens, I'm calling it now: Besiktas shirt sales will break Super Lig records. And the revenue-sharing clause will look like genius. Plus, can you imagine the derby shirts? Fenerbahce fans would be sick. I need to see it.
So there you have it. Salah to Besiktas with a shirt-sales kickback. It might not happen, but if it does, it could change how clubs negotiate with superstars. And you'll definitely see me rocking a Besiktas Salah shirt if it goes through. Fight me in the comments.
