Roma in talks to sign Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah, says agent Oliver Kronenberg

The agent of Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah has confirmed talks with Serie A giants Roma, admitting his client is 'very likely' to leave Stamford Bridge in January.

Salah, 22, joined the Blues in 2014's January transfer window but has struggled to make an impression in west London, having made just three appearances this season.

The former Basel winger was also left on the bench during Chelsea's 5-0 win over Swansea City, despite his side cruising at 4-0 before half time.

Queens Park Rangers and Inter Milan are among the sides interested in Salah, but Jose Mourinho quashed talk of the marginalised winger leaving during the winter transfer window, suggesting the club would have to bring in a replacement if they were to let him depart.

But Salah's representative, Oliver Kronenberg, has kept hopes of a move alive.

"It is very likely he will leave Chelsea on loan," Kronenberg is quoted as saying by La Roma 24. "I spoke to Roma, but the cost of the operation is very high. He is on big wages at the moment and would like to maintain them. We will wait and see what happens."

La Roma 24 go on to suggest club Roma have offered to pay Chelsea a loan fee of €1m with the option to make the deal permanent for €17m at the end of the season.

Mourinho maintained in the build-up to the January transfer window that he is happy with his current squad, including its marginalised members such as Salah and Germany international Andre Schurrle.

Mourinho told reporters on Friday: "At this moment I keep saying the same - I am happy with the squad, we have a good group to play football but also a good group to live together. I don't want to lie to you."