Besiktas have joined the race to sign Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah in January, with the winger having failed to make the grade since signing for the Stamford Bridge side.

His move last January for £11 million brought one of the more highly rated young prospects to west London, but the player has found opportunities incredibly limited.

Spartak Moscow manager Murat Yakin, who coached Salah for two years at former club Basel, admitted that he was desperate to bring him to the Russian side earlier this week.

However, it does not seem like it will be simple for Yakin to bring Salah to Russia when the window opens.

They now face open competition from Turkish giants Besiktas.

The club’s president Fikret Orman has admitted that his side hold an interest in signing the Egyptian international.

“He is a good player. We are interested,” he said.

However, Jose Mourinho has repeatedly insisted that Salah would not be allowed to depart Stamford Bridge in January.

Spartak Moscow boss Murat Yakin has told the press that he is incredibly keen to sign Chelsea flop Mohamed Salah in the winter transfer window.

Yakin is so keen to sign Salah, formerly of Basel, that he is willing to beg Jose Mourinho to let him leave the Blues in January.

This would cut Salah’s stay at the Premier League leaders incredibly short, with the winger having only moved to Chelsea last January, joining them for £11 million.

Mourinho insisted earlier this month that Salah was a key part of his plans going forward, and that despite his lack of appearances for the Blues, he would not be allowed to depart.

Yakin previously worked with Salah while he was in charge of Basel, and he hopes that Spartak owner Leonid Fedun can put together a deal that will tempt Chelsea into parting with the 22 year old Egyptian international.

He said: “I want to sign both Salah and Fabian Frei (still at Basel). I know both players well.

“I know the economic situation in Russia is not the best, but the club can afford both players’ wages.

“The club president promised a surprise in the upcoming transfer market. I spoke with him about both Salah and Frei and I hope it will happen, that’d be my Christmas present.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get Salah in the team, even if I have to beg for it.”