Besiktas, a competitor in the Turkish league, launched an attack on journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu over speculation about signing Mohamed Salah, Egypt's captain.

Salah left Liverpool by mutual consent a season before the end of his contract, and after his participation with Egypt in the World Cup ended, he returned to steal the spotlight as his next destination remains unclear.

Sabuncuoglu said that Besiktas made an offer to Salah for his services with an annual salary of 15 million euros, and that the Egyptian player's agent arrived in Turkey for negotiations.

But Besiktas responded with a strongly worded statement, confirming that Sabuncuoglu is misleading the public with fake news that has no connection to reality.

The club said in a statement: 'The posts published by journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu regarding our club's transfers and the rumors circulating about their terms are pure fantasy.'

He added: 'We share the most accurate and transparent information about our club's transfer operations with our fans through our official channels, and we urge the public in general and our fans in particular not to believe any information or news not published through our official channels.'

Sabuncuoglu responded to Besiktas's statement by insisting on the accuracy of his information.

Sabuncuoglu said: 'I have great respect for Besiktas, but I confirm the accuracy of what I stated about Mohamed Salah. I am the first to reveal the news of his transfer to Turkey.'

He continued: 'Mohamed Salah has reached an agreement with Besiktas, and the official signing has not yet taken place.'