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

The east Londoners have asked to loan the £17million-rated Egypt international with 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.

(Image: Chris Brunskill)

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.

(Image: Getty)

He is among a number of high-calibre stars targeted by West Ham - set to move into the Olympic Stadium next year - as they look to overhaul the side for new boss Slaven Bilic.

They are confident of landing Payet, 28, on a five-year deal with an option for a sixth despite a new contract offer for the player from his club.