Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Egyptian youngster Ibrahim Adel, with Liverpool also among a host of Premier League sides keeping tabs on the player.
The 22-year-old currently plays his club football in the Egyptian Premier League with Pyramids, scoring four goals in 20 league appearances during the 2022-23 term.
Since making his first-team debut in December 2018, Adel has featured in 106 matches for the club who finished second in Egypt's top flight last season, scoring 26 goals over a four-year period.
The midfielder has international experience under his belt, having turned out on four occasions for the Egyptian senior side, whilst also winning the Player of the Tournament award in the recent Under-23s African Cup of Nations.
According to 90min, Chelsea are keeping a close eye on Adel and could make a move for the youngster, however the Blues are set to battle with a raft of potential suitors for his signature.
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It is understood that Premier League sides Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Aston Villa, West Ham United and Burnley are all interested in giving the Egyptian a chance to impress in England.
The report also claims that Championship outfit Southampton are admirers of Adel, with Russell Martin looking to build a squad capable of escaping the second tier at the first attempt following the club's relegation from the top flight last term.
It is understood that fellow Egyptian Mohamed Salah recommended the midfielder to Jurgen Klopp's Reds last year, although complications in getting the player a work permit halted a potential move.
However, with the FA now allowing English clubs to sign a certain number of foreign players who would have failed to meet the previous requirements for a work permit, curiosity around Adel in the Premier League has increased.
It is believed that Chelsea would look to immediately loan the Pyramids man to French side Strasbourg - a club that the Blues share a connection with via their parent company BlueCo.
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Adel could become only the second Egyptian player - following the aforementioned Salah - to play for the Stamford Bridge club, however the 22-year-old would likely to find it difficult to break into Mauricio Pochettino's plans immediately.
There is also believed to be interest for the midfielder in France, Spain and Germany, although it is said that the player's current preference is a move to the Premier League.
The report also adds that Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht looked to sign Adel in the January transfer window, but they were ultimately unable to reach an agreement with Pyramids for the player.
Pochettino will take charge of his first match as Chelsea boss when the Blues face Wrexham next week, with both sides looking to earn summer silverware in the form of the Florida Cup.
Carter White
