Arsenal: Predicting the future of every loan player

Mohamed Elneny

Like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mohamed Elneny is another player who is out on loan because Arsenal did not need him and they were keen to open up space in the playing squad and wage budget.

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Elney has spent the season at Besiktas. He has made 28 appearances in all competitions and is, by all accounts, well-liked among the fanbase. Besiktas, it has been reported, would like to keep Elneny on a permanent deal and are considering exercising the £15 million option to buy.

The Egyptian will turn 28 in the summer and is likely not a part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans. While he is a neat depth piece who can play across the midfield and is reliable and consistent, his limited upside makes him somewhat expendable, especially given the emergence of Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock, both of whom offer much more long-term value.

Should Arsenal receive a semi-decent fee for Elneny, — anything close to or above £10 million, I would guess — they will likely sell and use the extra cash and wage space to reinvest in another position or a higher-potential replacement in central midfield alongside Guendouzi and Willock.