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It took Liverpool a month to just about but not quite seal a deal for Mohamed Salah and Chelsea just 24 hours to swoop in and seal it. Despite reports yesterday that FC Basel and Liverpool had agreed a £10M compromise, a written bid wasn't made before Chelsea—sensing an opening and flush with cash from the impending Juan Mata sale—made a formal offer matching the £16M fee Basel wanted all along.
Chelsea have now officially announced having agreed a deal with Basel, and reports from Salah's advisors suggest the player wants to sign for the London club and that there will be no stumbling blocks when it comes to finalising a contract. Pending a medical, then, this deal is now done. Liverpool miss out on an intriguing prospect in Salah, but in no way have they missed out on a player worth the £16M Chelsea paid.
Liverpool fans will just be hoping that, after missing on a player who was widely talked about as their primary January target, there are a few more deals in the works that have been less well publicised. Preferably for a fullback and midfielder.
