Trabzonspor Open Talks to Pair Karim Benzema With Mohamed Salah

Karim Benzema has been offered to Trabzonspor as negotiations with Al Hilal continue without a final agreement, triggering simultaneous discussions between the Turkish club and the French forward.

Trabzonspor’s Approach

Trabzonspor have not yet reached a final agreement in their ongoing talks with Al Hilal over Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez. According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, with the Nunez pursuit yet to find a breakthrough, a major transfer twist saw Benzema offered directly to the Turkish side instead.

Before this development, Trabzonspor had already secured a headline signing: Mohamed Salah joined on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Liverpool, signing a two-year deal on August 6, 2026.

Simultaneous Talks Underway

Alongside Salah, the club added World Cup Cape Verde star Sidny Lopes Cabral to their squad. On July 3, 2026, Andre Onana also rejoined Trabzonspor on loan for a second consecutive year ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Following the surprise Benzema approach, formal discussions between the club and the former Real Madrid star have begun. Club hierarchy are evaluating the feasibility of the offer while separate talks with Al Hilal continue on a parallel track.

Benzema’s Career Profile

Benzema’s career includes multiple Champions League titles and domestic honours accumulated during his extended spell at Real Madrid. In Saudi Arabia, he recorded 48 goals across 75 appearances over five seasons, spending his first three campaigns with Al-Ittihad before moving to Al Hilal on a free transfer on the final day of the 2025–26 winter transfer window, signing a contract running until 2027.

That combination of European pedigree and Saudi Pro League experience makes him a distinctive profile in the current market for a club building serious ambitions.

Next Steps

Trabzonspor are continuing communication with Benzema’s representatives while finalizing parallel discussions involving Al Hilal. The structural and administrative details of both negotiations must be resolved before the transfer window closes. Further developments hinge on the outcome of meetings between club management and the player’s camp in the coming days. Follow TipsGG for the latest updates as this story progresses.