Liverpool will make a formal bid for Basel winger Mohamed Salah this week.

The club have been planning a move for the Egyptian since the January transfer window opened, but the valuation of £12 million has been prohibitive.

However, negotiations will step up with the Swiss side in the next few days, with manager Brendan Rodgers hoping to make a significant purchase.

Ideally, he would like to add a defender to his squad, too, the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday highlighting the major lingering deficiencies at the back.

The impressive, composed debut of Aston Villa's Ryan Bertrand - who is on loan from Chelsea and has been a long-term target for Rodgers - was in contrast to Liverpool's problems at full back over recent weeks.

Salah, 21, is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal who shone in the Champions League, scoring in the group stages against Chelsea.

Source: Daily Telegraph