After weeks of speculation over Salah’s next club, following his free transfer exit from Liverpool, the Egypt international has now boldly landed in Turkey.
However, he will not be playing in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, and Galatasaray are hoping the lure of Europe’s top competition can help them seal a deal for Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazil international has been linked with a departure from the Emirates Stadium, for the second summer in a row, with Mikel Arteta already bringing in Christos Tzolis following Leandro Trossard’s move to Besiktas.
Despite failing to land Vinicius Junior – following his call to sign an extension at Real Madrid – Arteta still wants a fresh face on the left flank, and the Gunners could now revive their interest in Nico Williams. That still leaves Martinelli’s future in an uncertain spot, with a contract until 2027 and a valuation of £40M, as Galatasaray react to losing out on the race for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.
In the event Martinelli is sold, it is expected he would become their record sale – eclipsing the £35m Liverpool paid to land Alex Oxlade Chamberlain in 2017. The arrival of former Norwich star Christos Tzolis in a £34m move from Club Brugge, combined with Arsenal’s public interest in a high-profile left winger, is ushering along Martinelli’s exit.
