File Photo: Egypt's Mohamed Elneny (Reuters)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed Friday that he is working hard to bring Egypt and Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny to the Emirates Stadium, but said there were some complications.
Elneny, a product of the youth academy of Cairo giants Ahly, was expected to be unveiled by Arsenal this week coming from Swiss side Basel for 6.5 million sterling pounds.
The delaying of the deal announcement pushed speculation about the player’s transfer, despite the 23-year-old midfielder’s confirmation that he had undergone a medical at Arsenal two weeks ago and would put pen to paper in the immediate future.
On Friday, Wenger admitted at a press conference that the deal to bring in Elneny may not be sealed until next week.
"It is a little complicated," Wenger said. "We are working hard on it and I hope in the next two or three days we get to [finalise the deal]," added the French boss without revealing further details.
English reports said earlier this week that Elneny is yet to obtain a work permit because Egypt is not among the first 50 nations in FIFA's monthly ranking.
Elneny has been a key figure for Basel since joining the club in January 2013, helping them to three league titles. The former Arab Contractors ace has also produced some superb displays this season, scoring six goals in all competitions – two in the Swiss league, two in the Europa League and two in the Swiss Cup.
He was widely praised for his goals in the Europa League, Europe's secondary club competition, as he helped Basel reach the last 32 where they will meet French side Saint Etienne in February.
His goals included a screamer which led Basel to a 2-1 comeback victory away to Italy's Fiorentina in their opening Group I clash in September.
Elneny's arrival could help ease the midfield injury crisis of Arsenal, who have to do without the likes of Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta as they bid for their first Premier League title since 2004.
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