The Turkish Super Lig has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for footballers during the current summer transfer window, with clubs offering major contracts and substantial wages to secure high-profile players.
According to Mike McGrath of The Daily Telegraph, financial incentives are the main reason Turkey is increasingly competing with the Saudi Pro League for leading names.
The report says Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor came after months of speculation linking the Egypt international with a transfer to Saudi Arabia. Salah had announced his departure from Liverpool but ultimately chose to begin a new chapter in Turkey.
Turkey’s growing appeal has also coincided with the departure of several prominent Saudi Pro League players this summer. A number of those footballers left their clubs after their contracts expired, including Riyad Mahrez, Georginio Wijnaldum, Chris Smalling, Jhon Duran, Marcelo Brozovic, Franck Kessie and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
At the same time, Turkish clubs have been among the most active sides in the current transfer market, even when compared with teams in the Premier League.
Fenerbahce have signed Mason Greenwood and Nathan Ake, while Besiktas have brought in Leandro Trossard from Arsenal, according to the report.
The main advantage for Turkish clubs is said to be the way player contracts are structured. Salaries are paid net, meaning the figures received by players come after tax has been deducted, rather than being gross amounts from which the players must later meet their own tax obligations.
That arrangement is understood to have played a significant part in the appeal of Salah’s reported contract with Trabzonspor. The Daily Telegraph says the forward will receive at least £14.5m per season in net wages, before bonuses are included.
When compared with the United Kingdom’s tax system, the value of that agreement is estimated to be equivalent to more than £500,000 a week.
A Turkish football agent told the report: “Basically, players receive their salaries net, and they have no tax responsibility because the club takes care of paying the taxes.”
Turkey does not exempt footballers from income tax. However, clubs can agree to cover those liabilities as part of their players’ contracts, allowing them to present a more attractive financial package to prospective signings.
That system gives Turkish clubs a significant advantage when negotiating with established players and helps explain why the Super Lig is now being viewed as a direct financial rival to the Saudi Pro League.
The movement of players between major leagues, combined with the spending power of Turkish clubs, has made the country one of the central destinations of the summer window. While Saudi Arabia has attracted global attention through its investment in football, Turkey’s net-salary model is providing its clubs with another way to compete for elite talent.
