Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied that he was aware of Liverpool's interest in Basel winger Mohamed Salah before having an £11m bid for the player accepted by the Swiss club.
Liverpool had been linked with the Egyptian international earlier this month, but after the Blues were given permission to speak with the player, it now appears that the 21-year-old will move to Stamford Bridge.
The 50-year-old told reporters: "I don't know what Liverpool did before us. I know that we contacted Basel before the player and they said that he was available and we reached an agreement.
"I like that he plays right, left or behind the striker, he is young like our players in that area, he is fast, creative and enthusiastic. He is humble and will work on the pitch and he is willing to adapt to a new life.
"I am confident that he will sign. We have an agreement and that only goes forward when there is an agreement with the player. We know that he wants to come, he told me personally, but now it is terms and a medical that he has to pass."
Salah scored on both occasions when Chelsea met Basel in the Champions League earlier this season.
Darren Plant
