Saudi Arabia of Europe? How Türkiye's summer transfer window changed the game

Mohamed Salah looked on, wide-eyed with astonishment, as Trabzonspor  fans serenaded him, sung to him and even bowed to him as he joined the club on a free transfer on Aug. 6. Fans had packed inside Papara Park, their 41,000-seater stadium situated on the banks of the Black Sea in northeastern Türkiye, and filled three of the four stands available to give him an unimaginable welcome. Chants echoed around the ground, flares burned bright red, and an old Turkish song -- "Allah Allah Bu Nasil Sevmek" -- was tweaked so that "Mohamed Salah" replaced the last three words, in perfect rhythm. The 34-year-old Egypt international -- a two-time Premier League title winner and champion of Europe with Liverpool -- then ascended the steps in the single empty stand, where a stage, a contract and a microphone awaited him. Facing the raucous crowd and visibly struck by the atmosphere, he could barely s