Liverpool remain keen on FC Basel forward Mohamed Salah - but reports suggesting a £7million fee has been agreed are wide of the mark.

The Reds have held initial talks with the Swiss outfit but the ECHO understands that any potential deal for the Egypt international remains some way off.

There has been intense speculation in his homeland that Salah would arrive on Merseyside later this week to undergo a medical and pen a five-year deal.

However, that's news to Liverpool officials who have yet to make a breakthrough in discussions with Basel.

There are also a number of other clubs interested in the player known as the 'Egyptian Messi' and the Swiss Super League side are in no rush to sell.

Unless a compromise can be reached, Liverpool are prepared to wait until the summer when Salah, who scored both home and away against Chelsea in the Champions League earlier this season, will enter the final two years of his contract.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have dismissed reports in Spain that Barcelona winger Cristian Tello will be heading to Anfield on loan for the rest of the season.

Tello, who rejected the chance to join the Reds on a season-long loan in the summer of 2012, has found his opportunities limited under Gerardo Martino this term.

That has led to speculation that the 22-year-old could move on in January.

Liverpool did enquire about his availability but they are now looking at other options.

Source: Liverpool Echo