Chelsea and Newcastle ‘enter race’ for forward Salah requested Liverpool to sign

Chelsea and Newcastle United have reportedly entered the race to sign Egyptian winger Ibrahim Adel. Fellow countryman Mohamed Salah, who has played alongside Adel for the Egypt national team, was so impressed by the 22-year-old’s talents that he is said to have requested for Jurgen Klopp to make a move for the player.

But it appears Chelsea are the most likely to snap him up. Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that the Blues are hoping to bring the attacker in this summer before loaning him out to their new Ligue 1 feeder club Strasbourg.

Speaking to the Talking Transfers podcast, Bailey said: “We’re told on this one that Chelsea’s interest is to send him to Strasbourg as well, Ibrahim Adel, he’s a player we have spoken about before, Mo Salah recommended him to Liverpool.

“He is one of the best young players in African football. He has been for a little while, he plays for Pyramids in Egypt, Mo Salah does like him and he recommended him to Liverpool.”

90 min claim Newcastle are keen on acquiring the Egyptian’s services as well and are among a growing list of English clubs taking a closer look at him including Brighton, Brentford, Aston Villa, West Ham, Burnley and Southampton.

Adel is regarded as one of Africa’s brightest young talents and currently plies his trade for Pyramids FC in the Egyptian Premier League. His impressive form at the recent Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations won him the Player of the Tournament award and he has since been called up to the senior squad.

When Salah advised Liverpool to make a move for Adel last summer it wasn’t possible due to issues obtaining a work permit.

However, the FA’s new regulations mean that each club can sign up to two foreign players who wouldn’t have previously met the former points threshold set by the Governing Body Endorsement criteria. As a result, it seems highly likely Adel will get a move to England this season.