Chelsea join battle with Liverpool for 'Egyptian Messi'

23 January 2014 10:17

The hot transfer story of the day revolves around Chelsea moving in last night on an ‘advanced stage’ Liverpool transfer. Mohamed Salah dubbed 'The Egyptian Messi' plays for Swiss side Basel and has been the subject of transfer speculation since his performances against Chelsea. Salah played in both legs of the Champions League group stage matches against Chelsea, winning him many admirers in the Premier League. According to the report in the Mirror, Basel have valued their player at £16m but both Liverpool and now Chelsea have lodged £11million bids.

The Egyptian international is just 21-years-of-age so represents both an investment and a risk and it is thought that Liverpool are unwilling to pay more than £12million with Basel looking to hold out for their valuation. Salah has made a total of 78 appearances for Basel in the Swiss Super League and Europe, scoring 20 goals. For Egypt, Salah has an impressive international record, scoring 17 times in 27 games.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been cautious while talking about the club's transfer policy for the winter window in recent weeks, but has suggested deals could be in the making.

"There's nothing imminent," he said recently.

"Obviously the recruitment team are busy putting things together in terms of the profile of players we need here to improve the team and the squad.”

Salah is thought to still prefer the Liverpool option with the promise of more first team football but the situation is clearly quite mobile with negotiations ongoing from both Liverpool and now Chelsea.

 

Source: DSG