Besiktas reserves Mohamed Salah's shirt number

The potential transfer of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah to Turkish club Besiktas continues to generate interest, with reports revealing new developments in negotiations. Among the most notable developments is the discussion surrounding the jersey number the Egyptian national team captain might wear should the transfer be officially completed. Besiktas is keen to finalize the deal with Salah during the current transfer window, in what would be one of the biggest transfers in the history of the Turkish league, given the player's immense talent and popularity. According to reports, negotiations between the two parties have reached an advanced stage, with a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract, with the option to extend for an additional season. The contract reportedly includes an annual salary of approximately €10 million, along with bonuses and incentives. Interest in the transfer has intensified recently, with reports indicating that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is closely monitoring the negotiations, given the anticipated impact of a player of Salah's caliber on the Turkish league. In a significant development, Turkish journalist Doğan Gündoğdu revealed that Besiktas player Kassoum Ouattara has decided to relinquish the number 11 jersey he currently wears and switch to number 20, a move interpreted by reports as a prelude to giving the iconic number to Mohamed Salah upon his arrival at the club. The number 11 is deeply intertwined with Salah's career, having worn it during his most successful periods with his previous clubs, and it has become part of his identity with fans. Despite negotiations nearing an advanced stage, the deal has not yet been officially announced, pending the finalization of details between the player and the Turkish club.