Chelsea transfers: West Ham launch Mohamed Salah loan move

Egyptian winger who is surplus to requirements at the champions scored nine goals in 26 games last season after being farmed out at Fiorentina

West Ham have launched an audacious bid to sign Mohamed Salah from Chelsea.

The east Londoners have asked to loan the £17million-rated Egypt internationalwith an option to buy.

It comes with the Hammers closing in on a £17m swoop for another attacker, Marseille's Dimitri Payet.

Salah, 23, has just had an impressive loan spell at Fiorentina after a January deal which saw Colombian Juan Cuadrado move to Stamford Bridge from the Italians.

Although Cuadrado has struggled to settle in London, Chelsea maintain there is a future for him. Salah, however, is surplus to requirements.

He is now set to decide, in conjunction with Blues chiefs, whether he wants to remain in Italy, move to a club in Spain or return to the Premier League with another team to play on a more regular basis.

Although a number of bigger clubs have expressed an interest, Mirror Sport understands West Ham's approach has not been dismissed.

Salah scored nine goals in 26 appearances for Fiorentina and helped to knock Spurs out of the Europa League in February.