Liverpool have completed the €42m (£36.9m) signing of Mohamed Salah from Roma. The 25-year-old has been a long-term target, with Liverpool missing out on his signature three years ago when he joined Chelsea before embarking on an underwhelming spell in the Premier League.
However, after impressing in Serie A with 29 goals in 65 appearances for Roma, the Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, believes the winger has developed a more rounded game and his “incredible” pace will add depth to a squad which will be further tested this season with the challenge of a Champions League campaign.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Salah said: “I’m very excited to be here. I’m very happy. I will give 100 per cent and give everything for the club. I really want to win something for this club.
“We have a great team and very good players. I was watching the games last year and everyone was giving 100 per cent to win something. Everyone can see the coach gives everything. I hope to see that together we can give everything to win something for the club, for the supporters and for us.”
The fee, which could rise to a staggering €50m (£43.9m) with add-ons according to Roma, is a record transfer fee for the club, eclipsing the €40m (£35m) spent on Andy Carroll from Newcastle United back in January 2011. Chelsea are due to receive a percentage of the Egypt international's latest transfer fee.
Klopp said of his new signing, who will wear the No11 shirt for Liverpool: “Mohamed has the perfect mix of experience and potential – this is a really exciting signing for us. He knows the Premier League, he has pedigree in the Champions League and he is one of the most important players for his country.
“His record in Italy has been outstanding and he possesses qualities that will enhance our team and squad. His pace is incredible, he gives us more attacking threat and we are already strong in this area.
“Most important, though, for us, is that he is hungry, willing and eager to be even better and improve further. He believes in what we are trying to do here at Liverpool and is extremely keen to be part of it.
“He is very excited about performing for our wonderful supporters. He is an ambitious player who wants to win and win at the highest level; he knows he can fulfil those ambitions with Liverpool.”
Klopp has already signed England's Under-20 World Cup winner Dominic Solanke after his contract expired with Chelsea, with a fee likely to be decided by a tribunal, but the plan is for him to start in the Under-23s side.
While Salah will be the second arrival of the summer at Anfield there are a number of players surplus to requirements and Liverpool have already turned down an £11m bid for the out-of-favour left-back Alberto Moreno from Napoli. The Italian side are expected to return with an improved offer but face competition from two Premier League clubs and his former club Sevilla.
(Guardian service)
