A Potential Journey: How Shakhtar Could Have Secured Star Player Mohamed Salah Before His European Breakthrough
In light of recent reports and football world rumors, an intriguing version has emerged regarding the possible transfer of renowned Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah to Donetsk's Shakhtar. According to Ukrainian journalist Ihor Tsyhanyk, several years ago, the Ukrainian club could have acquired one of the brightest football talents globally, but this option was left unrealized due to various circumstances and assessments. Tsyhanyk revealed on his YouTube channel that Salah was still playing in Egypt and had an offer to join Shakhtar, but at that time, the move was not made. During the broadcast, the journalist recalled: "Salah was offered to Shakhtar... He was still playing in Egypt then. But, perhaps, back then they thought, what players are in Egypt? Yes, probably so." This opens an interesting chapter in football history — a chance that could have significantly altered Salah’s career and the Ukrainian championship trajectory. The 33-year-old Egyptian striker, who made a global breakthrough playing for Liverpool, previously played for Swiss club Basel, Italian clubs Fiorentina and Roma, and English clubs Chelsea and Liverpool. However, he remains an unwritten page in Shakhtar's history, as his transfer path led him to other clubs, including the Dutch team Leiden, according to sources. Thus, this story leaves many unanswered questions about whether the fate of the Ukrainian club could have changed dramatically if they had taken this risk at the time, considering Salah’s talents were highly valued early in his career and his career sky-rocketed over the past decade.