Rumour: FC Basel's Mohamed Salah on Chelsea's radar

With the impending departure of Juan Mata to Manchester United, Jose Mourinho has set his sights on acquiring the highly rated Egyptian, Mohamed Salah from FC Basel to fill the void of the Spaniard. The 21-year-old was on the brink of a switch to Merseyside heavyweights Liverpool, but it seems the proposition of working with Jose Mourinho has swung the deal in Chelsea’s favour.

Salah, who’s goal downed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the group stage of the Champions League, has emerged as a prime target for Mourinho, who was impressed with the work-rate and technical abilities, is keen to snap up the winger, as he looks to challenge for premier league glory.

The 2013 Swiss Golden Player Award winner, has scored 20 goals in 78 appearances in all competitions for Basel, and has proved to be a vital cog in the Basel wheel, after the departure of Xheridan Shaqiri to Bayern Munich. As per Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea have made an initial bid of 15 million euros for the wide-man, and Basel are holding out for 18m euros for their superstar winger.

If the deal does happen, the Egyptian international would be Chelsea’s second signing of the winter, having re-signed Nemanja Matic from Benfica for 21 million pounds.