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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is facing a six month wait to sign prime targets Cristian Tello and Mohamed Salah - from Barcelona and FC Basel respectively - after both deals looked increasingly unlikely last night.
The Reds boss had hoped to strengthen his squad in January after a momentary blip in form towards the end of December meant they dropped four places to fourth, but may have to wait until the summer to complete a number of deals.
According to The Mirror, Rodgers planned to take Tello on loan until the end of the season before finalising a permanent switch in June.
The 22-year-old winger has grown increasingly disillusioned at the Nou Camp after making just two La Liga starts for the Catalans. However Barca have made it clear to Tello that, until their burgeoning injury list subsides, he will have to stay as cover.
Interest was also growing at Anfield in Basel's exciting midfielder Mohamed Salah but the Swiss champions' demands, thought to be over £10m, have deemed any deal unworkable in the short term.
Rodgers is unsure if committing such an outlay would deliver instant results, as it is likely the 21-year-old will require significant time to adapt to the rigors of the Premier League.
Liverpool - January transfer targets
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