Chelsea agree to sign Basel midfielder Mohamed Salah

 

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Egypt midfielder Mohamed Salah from Swiss champions Basel for a fee in the region of £11m.

Salah, 21, is yet to undergo a medical or agree personal terms, but is expected to move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool had held talks with Basel with hope of making Salah their first
signing of the January transfer window.

The Blues agreed to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United on Wednesday.

United’s club-record £37m move for Mata appears to have encouraged Chelsea to move swiftly for Salah, who would become their third signing of the January transfer window after the arrivals of Nemanja Maticand Bertrand Traore.
His potential capture will also offer Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho a further attacking option, following Kevin De Bruyne’s loan move to Wolfsburg.
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with FC Basel for the transfer of their 21-year-old attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah,” read a statement on the club’s website.
Salah, who can operate in a variety of attacking roles, has been tracked by a number of clubs after impressive displays in the Europa League last season and this year’s Champions League.

The Egypt international scored against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2013, before getting goals in both Champions League matches against Jose Mourinho’s side this season.

After starting his career at Egyptian side El Mokawloon, Salah moved to Basel in 2012 and scored five league goals in 29 appearances as they secured a fourth league title in as many seasons.
His form this season has helped Basel to top spot in their domestic league ahead of its resumption after a winter-break.
Salah, who made his Egypt debut in 2011, finished as joint-top goalscorer in Africa’s World Cup qualifying groups with six goals.
He was however unable to help his country to Brazil 2014 as they were beaten over two legs by Ghana in a play-off.