Arsenal in talks with sporting director over exit of international midfielder – report
By Russell Edge
Arsenal have held talks with the sporting director of Galatasaray over a potential transfer for midfielder Mohamed Elneny, according to a report.
Turkish sports news outlet Fotospor claim on their website that the Turkish side’s chief Cenk Ergun was in London to meet with the top brass at Arsenal regarding the availability of the Egyptian international.
They claim that the Gunners responded positively to the enquiry, and are said to be willing to let the 25-year-old depart this summer, having joined two years ago for a reported fee of £11.2million (€12.5million).
Elneny has made 40 appearances since his move from Swiss side FC Basel, scoring once and chipping in with a further three assists.
The news of Galatasaray’s move for the 55-cap international comes just days after the Sun reported that the player himself had turned down a move to Arsenal’s fellow Premier League side Leicester City, after a bid of £10million was said to have been accepted.
He has been a star for his country since his debut back in 2011, and helped his side reach the African Cup of Nations final back in February, where they lost to Cameroon.
Football Insider verdict
Mohamed Elneny looks like a player Arsenal are willing to let depart this summer, and they should be able to recoup near to the full amount of the £11million spent on him two years ago. However, despite his place in the first team at the Emirates Stadium not being guaranteed, with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin for competition, Arsenal may find it hard to move him on this summer. His reported reluctance to move to Leicester is said to be as a result of him loving his life in the capital, and a move to Turkey may not offer him the same lifestyle he has with the Gunners. As a result, Arsene Wenger may have to be prepared to make him part of the first team squad, with another three years left on his contract.
In other Arsenal news, the Gunners are keeping a close eye on this international winger.
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