Vincenzo Italiano Addresses Mohamed Salah Speculation: Transfer “Frozen for Now”
Beşiktaş head coach Vincenzo Italiano has finally commented in detail on the intense speculation linking Mohamed Salah with a sensational move to Istanbul, while outlining his European ambitions, transfer plans, and early impressions of life in Turkey.
The Italian tactician spoke to the press in his homeland ahead of Beşiktaş’s decisive second-leg clash against Danish side Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. With a 1-0 lead from the first leg, the Black Eagles are in a strong position to progress, but Italiano made it clear that the club’s expectations extend far beyond a single tie.
“I’ve Never Experienced Anything Like This”
Italiano began by reflecting on his first weeks at the club and the intensity that surrounds Beşiktaş on and off the pitch.
“Beşiktaş is an extraordinary club,” he explained. “The structure is elite, the training ground is perfect, and the atmosphere is simply unbelievable. From the first whistle, the fans put you under pressure in a way I’ve never witnessed before. It’s electric, it almost shakes you. For a coach, it’s exhilarating.”
He stressed that the passion in the stands is not just noise but a driving force that shapes the mentality of the squad, demanding constant focus and maximum effort.
Clear European Targets – With a Safety Net
Turning to the European campaign, Italiano broke down the club’s immediate and medium-term objectives in continental competition.
“We have the return match against Midtjylland,” he said. “If we get through, there’s another round before the Europa League play-off stage. The path is long, but the aim is clear. And even in the worst-case scenario, if we slip, we drop into the Conference League qualifying phase. The board has been very straightforward: Beşiktaş must be present in Europe.”
For Italiano, this dual path means there is no excuse for the club not to feature in at least one of UEFA’s competitions this season. Participation alone, however, isn’t the endpoint; he hinted that the club wants to be competitive rather than simply make up the numbers.
Transfer Market: Discretion on Former Players
Asked about links to his ex-players at Bologna, particularly Riccardo Orsolini and Jhon Lucumí, Italiano chose his words carefully, refusing to publicly commit to specific targets.
“I’d rather not throw names out there,” he responded. “Let’s just say we did talk about one or two players from my past. The club knows perfectly well the kind of profiles I like and what we need to complete the squad.”
His answer suggests that while familiarity with former players can be an advantage, he is keen to avoid turning Beşiktaş into a simple extension of his previous club. The focus, he implied, is on finding the right fit for the Turkish league and the European challenges ahead.
Challenging Galatasaray’s Domestic Dominance
Italiano did not shy away from acknowledging the size of the task in the Süper Lig. He pointed directly at the reigning powerhouse.
“In the league, our mission is to make life difficult for Galatasaray,” he said. “They’ve taken the title four seasons in a row, and that kind of dominance can only be broken by a team with courage and depth. Our current group is strong, but we know that two or three more quality additions would make us significantly more competitive.”
He underlined that the club is not building for a single season but trying to construct a squad that can consistently push for trophies and maintain a European presence.
Salah to Beşiktaş? “Everything Is on Hold”
The conversation inevitably turned to the name dominating the headlines: Mohamed Salah. Rumors have suggested that Beşiktaş are exploring what would be one of the most surprising and ambitious moves in recent Turkish football history.
Italiano offered a measured, realistic update.
“Leandro Trossard is a fantastic player and he will join us at the beginning of August,” he confirmed. “As for Mohamed Salah, at this moment, everything is on hold. That’s the current situation.”
By choosing the phrase “on hold,” Italiano neither fueled the hype nor completely shut the door. His comments imply that discussions or interest may have existed, but that no immediate breakthrough is imminent. Financial considerations, contract situations, and sporting ambitions all make any Salah deal enormously complex.
Significantly, Italiano was quick to remind everyone that the club is not solely dependent on a single blockbuster signing.
“We already have an excellent captain in Orkun Kökçü,” he added. “He sets the tone in the dressing room and on the pitch. Any star who comes in has to complement that, not overshadow it.”
Why the Salah Deal Is So Complicated
Behind Italiano’s brief statement lies a reality well known in modern football: signing a player of Salah’s profile involves far more than simple interest from a single club. Transfer fees, wages, image rights, and the player’s own ambitions all need to align.
For Beşiktaş, bringing in Salah would not only be a sporting coup but also a commercial and symbolic one, potentially reshaping the global perception of the Turkish league. However, Italiano’s “on hold” remark reflects that for now, the club is concentrating on targets that are more immediately attainable and better aligned with the current project.
The message is clear: Beşiktaş will not stand still waiting for a dream transfer to materialise. The squad needs to be strengthened in time for crucial qualifiers and the start of the domestic season.
Trossard’s Role in Italiano’s Vision
With Salah’s situation uncertain, Leandro Trossard’s upcoming arrival takes on extra importance. Italiano’s enthusiasm suggests he sees the Belgian as a key piece in his tactical puzzle.
Trossard’s versatility-being able to operate on either wing, as a second striker, or as a creative midfielder-fits perfectly with Italiano’s preference for fluid attacking systems. His experience in a top European league adds another layer of quality and leadership in high-intensity matches, especially in European competition.
For Beşiktaş supporters, Trossard represents a guarantee: a confirmed, top-level player already committed and scheduled to join by early August, giving the coach a reliable attacking weapon regardless of how the Salah saga unfolds.
Balancing Star Power and Squad Harmony
Italiano’s remarks about Kökçü and his reluctance to overemphasize Salah indicate a broader philosophy: the team must come before any individual. While he welcomes high-profile names, he appears determined to safeguard the balance of the dressing room.
The coach seems focused on building a core group with a clear hierarchy-captain, experienced leaders, and young talents-into which any new signing, no matter how famous, must integrate. This approach is vital for a club that wants to compete in multiple competitions without fracturing its unity.
New Life in Istanbul: Between Work and Wonder
Away from football, Italiano offered a more personal look at his adaptation to life in Istanbul, mixing humor with genuine admiration for the city.
“I’m planning to settle on the Asian side, near the training complex,” he revealed. “I need to live close to work. In Bologna, my commute was exactly 1 minute and 40 seconds. The other day here, it took me 28 minutes-that feels like an eternity for me! I like to be constantly present at the training ground; it’s just how I operate.”
Despite joking about traffic and distance, he was full of praise for his new home.
“Istanbul is incredible,” he said. “Recently, as I was crossing from one side of the city to the other, I saw five dolphins in the water. Moments like that remind you that you’re in a truly unique place. It gives you energy.”
This mix of intensity and beauty reflects the environment in which he now works: a city where football obsession, cultural richness, and everyday chaos meet.
The Bigger Picture: A Long-Term Beşiktaş Project
Taken together, Italiano’s comments paint the picture of a coach engaged in a demanding but exciting project. The club’s goals are ambitious: challenge domestic dominance, secure regular European football, and, when possible, attract elite-level talent.
The Salah story, frozen for now, perfectly illustrates the club’s current status. Beşiktaş are thinking big, testing the limits of what is possible in the market, but they are also grounded enough to keep building step by step with confirmed arrivals like Trossard and targeted reinforcements in key positions.
Italiano’s insistence on work ethic, his desire to live close to the training ground, and his admiration for the intensity of the fans all suggest that he sees Beşiktaş as more than a short-term stop. His words carry the tone of a coach who wants to leave a mark-tactically, culturally, and competitively.
What Comes Next for Beşiktaş and Salah?
For now, Salah’s name remains a tantalising possibility rather than a concrete reality. “On hold” can mean many things in football: waiting for a window of opportunity, monitoring developments at the player’s current club, or simply acknowledging that the timing is not yet right.
What is certain is that Beşiktaş, under Italiano, will not stand still. The immediate focus is on beating Midtjylland, navigating the European qualifiers, integrating Trossard, and adding a few carefully chosen signings to intensify the fight against Galatasaray in the league.
If circumstances around Salah change, the club’s prior interest and the coach’s non-dismissive language suggest they will be ready to revisit the idea. Until then, the Black Eagles will try to prove on the pitch that they are building a team worthy of attracting stars of that caliber in the future.