Developments have accelerated inside Turkish club Beşiktaş, as reports indicate that signing Egyptian Mohamed Salah is no longer just a sporting ambition, but that prominent figures in the Turkish state are closely following the matter.

Turkish daily Sözcü reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is personally involved in the deal's details, and that he asked Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı for detailed information on the progress of negotiations with the Egyptian star. Erdoğan is personally following the proposed transfer of Salah to Beşiktaş.

Club officials believe that indirect government support could pave the way to overcome the huge financial obstacles required for a deal of this magnitude. Beşiktaş is not only seeking domestic titles, but also aims for continental dominance.

The same newspaper reported that Turkish journalist and broadcaster Erdoğan Aktaş publicly confirmed that Egyptian striker Salah will arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday to finalize his contract with Beşiktaş. If completed, the deal would be the biggest transfer in Turkish league history in terms of market value and popularity.