Salah may become Africa’s most expensive player, moves to Liverpool

Egypt's forward Mohamed Salah (L) takes a free kick to score a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Egypt and Ghana in Port-Gentil on January 25, 2017. The Egyptian’s proposed £39m move to Liverpool will make him the costliest African player ever. Justin TALLIS / AFP

Liverpool are closing in on Roma and Egypt winger Mohamed Salah in a deal that could be worth a club record £39 million.

The 25-year-old has been a prime target for manager Jurgen Klopp and could join for a fee, which would eclipse the £35m the Reds paid for Andy Carroll in 2011.
Talks are ongoing, with Salah excited to play in the Premier League again after an unfulfilling spell at Chelsea.

If the deal exceeds the £34m Liverpool paid for Sadio Mane, Salah will become the most expensive African player ever.

The Egypt international almost joined Liverpool in 2014 but moved to Chelsea from Basle for £11 million.

After only six Premier League starts, he had successful loan spells away from Chelsea at Fiorentina and then Roma, before making the latter a permanent move for about £15m last summer.

But the Reds are now close to agreeing the transfer of Salah, who could sign a four-year deal.

Salah was a key figure as Roma finished second in Serie A last season, scoring 15 goals in 31 league appearances.

Liverpool have already lined up Chelsea’s 19-year-old striker Dominic Solanke, who was top scorer as England won the Under-20 World Cup and will join on 1 July.

The fee will be decided by a tribunal after he rejected a new contract at Stamford Bridge, with the fee expected to be about £3m.