Besiktas are pushing to reunite Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez in Istanbul this summer, with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal playing a pivotal role in the ambitious plan, according to reports in Turkey.
The Turkish side are understood to be closing in on a lucrative deal to bring Egypt captain Salah to Vodafone Park, while simultaneously attempting to secure a season-long loan for Uruguay striker Nunez from Al Hilal.
Salah, who left Liverpool this summer after a decorated nine-year spell, is currently a free agent and assessing offers for what could be the final major contract of his career. Turkish media say Besiktas have put forward a sizeable financial package worth around €10m for just one season to convince the 32-year-old to move to the Super Lig.
The former Liverpool forward won multiple individual and team honours at Anfield and is widely regarded as one of the club’s modern greats. His departure has triggered intense speculation over his next destination, with the Istanbul club now emerging as a leading contender.
Nunez loan hinges on Al Hilal
Besiktas’ pursuit of Nunez is more complex, with the club needing to reach an agreement with Al Hilal over a loan move.
Turkish newspaper Fanatik reports that Besiktas have formally submitted an offer to the Riyadh-based side to take the Uruguay international on loan for one season, proposing a €4m fee.
The Istanbul club believe Nunez could be tempted by the opportunity of regular football in Europe, while Al Hilal would retain long-term control of the player. The proposed deal would cover only a single campaign, matching the reported duration of the Salah contract on the table.
According to the same report, Besiktas’ hierarchy are working on both negotiations in parallel, hoping to secure swift breakthroughs in each case.
Potential Liverpool reunion in Istanbul
Should Besiktas succeed with both moves, Salah and Nunez would find themselves in the same dressing room once again, having previously been team-mates at Liverpool.
The pair shared the pitch at Anfield before Nunez’s move to Al Hilal, and their reunion in Turkey would represent one of the standout stories of the current transfer window.
Besiktas, who are seeking to strengthen significantly ahead of the new season, view the double swoop as a statement of intent domestically and in European competition.
For now, though, both deals remain at the negotiation stage. Salah continues to weigh up his options as a free agent, while Al Hilal must decide whether to accept the proposed loan terms for Nunez.
No official announcements have yet been made by Besiktas, Al Hilal, Salah or Nunez, but the Turkish club’s attempt to build an attack around two former Liverpool forwards has added a major twist to the summer market.
