Arsenal’s Premier League benchwarmer Mohamed Elneny has missed out on a move to Galatasaray after president Burak Elmas resisted his request for an £8.5 million contract, as reported by Sabah.
With all due respect to the long-serving Egypt international, Elneny feels like a symbol of Arsenal’s malaise, the living embodiment of the phrase ‘good, not great’.
Yet, despite five relatively underwhelming years in north London, one of Arsene Wenger’s last signings remains an Arsenal player.
As with Sead Kolasinac, Elneny finds himself stuck in limbo – no longer a first choice but too expensive for the kind of club that would be able to offer him more regular game time.
Elneny in limbo at Arsenal after Galatasaray move falls through
According to Sabah, Elneny’s agent, William D’Avila, held talks with Galatasaray regarding a switch to the Turk Telekom Stadium.
But following a summer of heavy investment – the Istanbul giants splashed out more than £20 million on Victor Nelsson and Alexandru Cicaldau while also snapping up ex-Crystal Palace wide man Patrick van Aanholt – Galatasaray were either unwilling or unable to meet Elneny’s demands of an £8.5 million contract paid over four years.
“I will not bind such a contract to the club for four years,” says Elmas.
Such a contract would have seen Elneny earn £40,000 a week at the 2019 Super Lig champions – a slight drop on the pay packet he takes home at the Emirates Stadium.
The former Basel enforcer has played just 45 minutes across Arsenal’s first three Premier League games this season, coming off the bench to shore things up midway through the humiliating 5-0 defeat at Manchester City.
Considering City scored twice while Elneny was on the pitch – while creating a host of other chances – it’s fair to say that tactic was hardly a resounding success.
The Turkish transfer window closes tomorrow.
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