Arsenal in line to make two midfield transfer sales

Galatasaray ‘Expected’ to Seal Mohamed Elneny Signing in January

This was something that bubbled up in the very latter stages of the summer transfer window as two Turkish clubs were said to be vying for Mohamed Elneny’s signature in time for deadline day.

Nothing transpired in this case as the Egyptian stayed put, and since then he’s been limited to just 210 minutes of football with his only starts coming in Carabao Cup wins over West Brom and Leeds United.

Arteta has been wiser with his selections this season as it’s been Ainsley Maitland-Niles getting the lion’s share of the ‘backup’ minutes, with Elneny no more than a reserve option if heavy rotation is needed or as someone to shore up the midfield late on in matches. Even that latter option has happened only once in the league.

Reports over in Turkey have been firm in their stance that a move to the Super Lig is imminent for the 29-year-old, which has been backed up once more by Fanatik who claim that Elneny is ‘expected’ to join Galatasaray in the winter.

While all talk from the Turkish football media requires a healthy dose of salt, the volume of reports echoing such claims, or at least along the same lines, suggests someone, somewhere, is confident.

Set to jet off to AFCON in the winter time, Elneny will be part of an Egypt side that are overwhelming favourites to get out of their group and reach the knockout stages. Moreover, they’re near enough everyone’s pick to win the entire tournament.

Should all go well for Elneny then he could be in line for an appearance in the final on February 6, at a stage where Granit Xhaka is due to be back from injury. Add to that the impressive form of Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and a sale may be on the cards to grant Arsenal some kind of fee for a player currently set to leave for nothing.

If the rumours are true then it will come down to how much Arteta and co feel Elneny will be needed before the end of the season, as well as what offers they may receive for his services.