Chelsea and As Roma are on the verge of agreeing a loan deal for Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah. The two clubs have been locked in negotiations for the 22-year-old forward and the deal has looked more likely to happen now than ever.
Reports from Italy have claimed that Roma are close to sealing a deal for the forward after the player himself who have been mulling over a deal has indicated interest in making the move after all.
The deal for Salah has been on the table for a while now with the Giallorossi pushing for a £500,000 loan fee while Chelsea are holding out to £1.5million price. Both clubs are however believed to be close to reaching an agreement. Judging by the intensity of the rumours so far, you can bet – using bet365 betting bonus may be – Salah will be moving to Rudi Garcia’s side before the winter transfer window shuts down.
The Salah – Roma deal is believed to be an 18months loan deal with the option of buying at the end of the loan stay. However, this option is not mandatory on Roma as they could well decline taking the player out rightly if the deal doesn’t favour them performance-wise.
Salah has been heavily linked away from Stamford Bridge this season after finding it difficult to get into Jose Mourinho regular side. The Egyptian joined Chelsea in 2014 winter transfer window after impressing with Swiss side FC Basel especially in the champions league where he had a couple of goals against Chelsea at the group stage.
He has found life rather, difficult in England and has failed to establish himself in Jose Mourinho star studded side. He has not featured much for the Chelsea side this season making occasional appearances in league cup games. His form has not been anything near what he was at Basel and this could be argued as due to lack of game time.
Salah will be eager to move to another club where he can be guaranteed regular playing time and that makes it an advantage for Roma. Rudi Garcia would want to add more depth to his side especially with the club currently in the running for the Seria A title 7points behind leaders Juventus in second position. Their title ambition would mean Rudi Garcia will require depth in his squad for the title push.
Chelsea have abundant of talent in Salah’s position with the likes of Hazard, Oscar, Willian and even Andre Schurrle who is also wanted away all ahead of him in ranking. Salah has also come under huge criticism for his performances in his few cameos this season but Mourinho has hinted he is willing to keep all of his players for now except he is able to bring in a replacement.
Salah’s deal could be hinged on Mourinho finding a replacement as squad depth will be key to making the most of this campaign. Chelsea has been linked with Fiorentina of Italy winger Juan Cuadrado and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa.
Salah’s move to Italy could see Chelsea bringing in any of the said players. Salah will however need to work his socks off if he is to see regular action either in Roma if a move happens or at Chelsea if he eventually stays. Getting into both side’s regular team will not be a stroll in the park and the players must work hard to earn their place.
Salah has simply not worked hard enough while at Chelsea. He may have been a very good player while at Basel, but coming to England, to a bigger team, a different league rated one of the best in the world required he has to put in the extra effort and that he has not done for over a year at SW6. The earlier he begins to put in those extra drive, energy, tackles, concentrations, goals, assist and all-round play the better for his budding career.
