Zenit are prepared to double Merseysiders’ current offer for youngster.
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Liverpool look like missing out on their number one target of the January transfer window, FC Basel wide man Mohamed Salah, after mega-rich Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg stole a march on the Reds in the race to land the in-demand Egyptian, according to reports in the Daily Express.
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The Merseysiders have been scouting Salah ever since the start of this campaign, with it understood that head coach Brendan Rodgers has been hugely impressed with the player’s displays for the Swiss champions in their group-phase matches in this season’s Uefa Champions League.
In particular, the Egypt international is said to have really caught the eye during Basel’s two recent upset wins against Premier League outfit Chelsea, with Salah finding the back of the net in both contests.
However, despite the fact that the Reds have been negotiating with Basel since the start of the month over the potential sale of the 21-year-old, with an £8m deal expected to be finalised by the end of this week, that move now looks in danger of collapsing after the entry of Zenit on the scene.
And Salah’s agent has now confirmed that Liverpool are still to agree a fee with the Swiss for the winger’s sale, leaving the door open for Zenit to land the player.
“Talks with Liverpool are ongoing. They want him. But they need agreement with Basel,” said Sascha Empacher.