Goonersworld

Arsenal are particularly interested in Basel’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny, according to Calciomercato.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League with the Gunners representing an interested party, as well as Everton, as per the Italian source.

Elneny is a defensive midfielder who has been with Basel since 2013 and has made over 100 appearances, scoring three goals and helping them to two back-to-back Swiss Super League’s over the last two seasons.

He has also been capped by Egypt 35 times, scoring two goals, and is reported to have told Post Cairo (via Calciomercato) that he wants to seek a new adventure next season, which has led to the speculation of a move away from Switzerland.

Elneny played in all eight of Basel’s Champions League games this season, creating four chances.

Elneny helped Basel progress to the knock-out stages of the Champions League this season, the Swiss side winning two and drawing one to finish second in Group B behind Real Madrid.

Basel were eventually knocked out by Porto to a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, though they are well placed to make a return to the elite European competition as they sit seven points clear at the top of the Swiss Super League on 58 points having lost just four of their 26 games so far this season.

Elneny completed 354 passes for Basel in the Champions League, only Fabian Frei (366) completed more.

Arsenal are weighing up a move for Basel’s Egyptian defensive midfielder Mohamed Elneny.

The Gunners were monitoring the 23-year-old last season and he is back on their radar ahead of the January window.

Arsenal have been badly hit by injuries in central midfield with Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta all out.

Southampton’s Victor Wanyama tops their wanted list, though they are reluctant to meet the Kenyan’s valuation of around £25million.

Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho has also been watched, but Elneny would be a cheaper alternative to both, at roughly £5million.

He has become a regular in the Basel side since joining in January 2013, helping them to three successive league titles.

arsenal_for_ever wrote:BazOnline reported that, the deal is done and he is taking the medical test soon.

realtalk wrote:

arsenal_for_ever wrote:BazOnline reported that, the deal is done and he is taking the medical test soon.

yeah google these lot.They are like germanys bild,and france's l'equipe by looks of things when page translated.

Im just gonna call him the pharoh.Might be a gilberto silva.Wonder how we picked this guy out.gabby was picked out on stats and few viewings.

Est83 wrote:Zenith, what's this guy like?

Seems like the perfect mix of Youth and obscurity

arsenal_for_ever wrote:as I'm originally from Egypt I've known him for years. He's really hard working (by end of the round of 16 last year in the CL he had covered ca. 97km in 8 matches topping the list of players till this stage). He has experience for his age, international debut in 2011.
He's also not injury prone. In the last 3 years only 2 minor injuries.
In the last seasons he was kind of an unknown soldier. He was making these 5-7 meter passes and didn't attack much.
He improved a lot this season in this aspect. He offers more by shooting (strong and relatively accurate) and scoring more often.
I think he's not really one for the Arsenal-Startup line yet, but he has the potential. As backup for Coq, he will do the job.
Sorry for my english