Chelsea have beaten Liverpool to land FC Basle's Mohamed Salah for £11million, according to Sportsmail sources in Switzerland.
Sportsmail revealed the Reds' interest in the Egypt forward and talks were
reaching an advanced stage until Chelsea gazumped Brendan Rodgers' side on Wednesday.
With
Juan Mata sealing his exit to Manchester United, the Blues have looked to
replace the Spaniard with Salah, who impressed against them in the
Champions League this season scoring in both of their group stage games,
including the winner in Switzerland.
Done deal: Chelsea have signed Basle's Mohamed Salah, who has scored twice against them this season
Gazumped: Jose Mourinho's side beat competition from Liverpool for the £11m Egyptian forward
Salah's
preference was understood to have been Liverpool, believing he will get
more game time, but Chelsea's financial muscle - plus the persuasive powers of Jose Mourinho - have swung the deal.
Chelsea
confirmed on their official website on Thursday afternoon: 'An
agreement has been reached with FC Basel for the transfer of their
21-year-old attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah.
'The move is subject to the Egyptian international agreeing personal terms and completing a medical examination.'
Salah later tweeted: 'Mohamed Salah Officially in @chelseafc.'
While impressing in Europe, the forward has also scored 17 goals in 27 games for Egypt.
But
he has struggled to find the net as often in Switzerland this season,
scoring just four times in the league for Basle to go with those strikes
against Chelsea.
On his way out: Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata will be allowed to leave the club by Jose Mourinho
Well-known threat: Salah also scored for Basle in last season's Europa League semi-final against Chelsea
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