Italy Serie A giants AC Milan are close to signing Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny when the winter transfer window reopens next January, Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday.

"Mohamed Elneny [negotiations] are in full swing," the Italian newspaper said in its report.

"Elneny is a surveyor geometer, a synthesis between Kessie, Biglia and Bennacer."

La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed that the 27-year-old Elneny could be a more muscular alternative for Milan if Kessie leaves the Rossoneri next winter.

The Italian newspaper also added that AC Milan could sign Elneny, who is currently on loan with Turkish outfit Besiktas, for 15 million euros next winter.

Elneny started his senior career in the Egyptian Premier League before moving to Swiss club Basel in the 2013 season, where he attracted the attention of Arsenal's coach Arsene Wenger, who signed him in the winter transfer window of 2016. Elneny then joined Besiktas on a season-long loan deal in August 2019.

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