Chelsea Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Says Mohamed Salah Is 'Happy' to Join Blues

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Mohamed Salah from Basel.

Journalists Miguel Delaney and Sam Wallace confirmed the news from Mourinho's news conference ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Stoke on Sunday:

The Telegraph's Henry Winter reported that Mourinho believes the player, who has the option of joining Liverpool, is "happy" to move to Stamford Bridge:

Salah, came to Mourinho's attention after scoring twice against the Blues as they were beaten on two occasions by Basel in the Champions League this season.

The Egypt international, 21, was expected to join Liverpool during the January transfer window, but following Chelsea's decision to sell Juan Mata to move to Manchester United, as per BBC Sport's David Bond and Ben Smith, they acted quickly to gazump their Premier League rivals.

As reported by Smith, Salah is a player that will excite the Chelsea fans, and although he isn't the complete package yet, he is expected to develop quickly at Stamford Bridge:

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Mohamed Salah is a player with vast potential. He is an exciting, swashbuckling winger whose searing pace is his most destructive weapon. He also has an eye for a goal.

He is still raw but at 21 will learn quickly. He is a player Liverpool have watched for some time, but once again Chelsea have nipped a transfer target from under the Anfield club's noses.

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The acquisition of Salah adds another strong dimension to Mourinho's Chelsea squad, which has already added the signing of Nemanja Matic this month. Chelsea are also rumoured to be interested in Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma, per Alan Wilson of Mirror Football.

Salah will not be able to play in the Champions League for the Blues this season, but he is eligible for the FA Cup, although he is unlikely to sign in time for the game against Stoke this weekend.

He will also offer a boost to Chelsea in their pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2010. Currently third, behind Arsenal and Man City, they are just two points off top and will face both title contenders in the coming months.

The way Mourinho is stockpiling exciting young talent at Chelsea, they, alongside Manchester City, are making a good case to become the dominant figures in English football in the coming seasons.