A lot of people have judged this transfer based on what *they* projected Salah should or would do, rather than what *he* wants and needs at this stage of his career after feeling forced out at Liverpool, where he planned on retiring. Salah’s intention was to remain in Europe, at an ambitious club that genuinely wanted him to play a leading role in helping them win things, where he could still provide meaning and had a passionate fanbase to feed off, in a city where his family could feel comfortable and not restricted. There was a desire to experience something new. Signing for another Premier League club was a no, and after already succeeding at Fiorentina and Roma, Serie A did not appeal to Salah in the way it did to those who romanticised a return. Trabzonspor was not the best financial package put in front of him this summer, neither was it the one that could most supercharge his brand. The Saudi Pro League presented the former, while at least four MLS clubs pitched the latter. Trabzonspor also handled their pursuit quietly and respectfully, refusing to even disclose talks where happening until an agreement was reached. They didn’t play every detail out in the press like Besiktas, whose motives were judged to be more PR-driven. How they handled things were neatly summed up by their ‘didn’t want him anyway’ stance