Liverpool seals long-awaited Salah deal for €42M fee
Liverpool's weeks-long pursuit of Mohamed Salah ended in success Thursday, as the pacy Egyptian winger completed a £36.9-million (€42-million) transfer from Roma to return to the Premier League.
The fee, which was confirmed by the Italian side, would appear to exceed Liverpool's club-record £35-million acquisition of Andy Carroll in 2011.
Roma could also reap another £7 million (€8 million) in potential add-ons.
Salah, who signed a long-term contract with the Reds, last played in England with Chelsea in January 2015. He joined Fiorentina on an initial loan deal before securing a permanent move to Roma a year later.
Showing great speed and finesse, the 25-year-old emerged as one of Serie A's brightest stars. Cutting in from the right wing, he scored 15 goals, fashioned 11 assists, and helped Roma accrue a club-record 87 points last season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seemed to identify Salah as a target soon after the 2016-17 Premier League campaign ended. After striking an agreement to sign Chelsea graduate Dominic Solanke - who helped England win the Under-20 World Cup - Liverpool stepped up its quest to sign Salah.
"Mohamed has the perfect mix of experience and potential - this is a really exciting signing for us," Klopp said in a statement.
"He knows the Premier League, he has pedigree in the Champions League, and he is one of the most important players for his country."
The German gaffer added, "His pace is incredible, he gives us more attacking threat, and we are already strong in this area. I like that we will make it even more competitive."
Roma reportedly rejected a £28-million bid earlier in the month as the club sought a figure between £35 million and £40 million.
With a new stadium on the horizon and complications with Financial Fair Play, the Giallorossi eventually allowed the player to leave.
Salah, who will wear Roberto Firmino's old No. 11, is expected to start on the right wing and push Sadio Mane over to the left. The Egyptian is a much more confident player than he was when he left Chelsea, where he made just six Premier League starts.