Swiss newspaper bazonline.ch praised Egypt and Arab Contractors forward Mohamed Salah, who is set to move to Swiss heavyweights FC Basel next summer.

Basel consider the Egyptian starlet as a natural replacement for Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who will join German giants Bayern Munich next season, the Swiss paper said.

Shaqiri has been branded as Switzerland’s Lionel Messi because of his superb performances.

“Basel is my first step to build my career in Europe. I hope I would make a good impact to move forward and make it through to the big clubs,” Salah told Ahram Sport early this month.

The 20-year-old is one of Egypt’s hottest prospects. He led the U-20 team to the bronze medal at the African Youth Championship last year before helping the U-23 side qualify for the  2012 Olympic Games for the first time since 1992.

He will arrive at Basel on 14 March to undergo medical and technical tests, as he will play a friendly with the Swiss champions.

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