According to Turkish Football, Trabzonspor are interested in signing Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny.
The Egyptian midfielder was sent out on loan by Unai Emery to Besiktas last summer where he was really impressive.
However, issues regarding the midfielder’s salary there have caused a rift between Elneny and Besiktas and, even if the Turks want him back, a move is unlikely.
The report claims that Trabzonspor, now managed by former Chelsea assistant boss Eddie Newton, want to sign the Arsenal man next summer to replace Stoke City’s Badou Ndiaye who spent last season on loan there.
Arsenal would like to part ways with him preferably on a permanent deal, but it isn’t clear if Trabzonspor are prepared to table a bid to sign him outright this summer.
Realistically, Arsenal have no real need for Elneny. The Egyptian is a solid midfielder who is more than capable of playing regularly for a Premier League side, but he lacks the creativity in central midfield that the Gunners need.
Arsene Wenger was a big supporter of Elneny
Wenger was a huge fan of the former Basel man when he signed him four years ago. After Elneny’s move to Besiktas last summer, the former Arsenal boss heaped huge praise on the midfielder’s quality and how he can protect a team.
“Elneny is a very strong and active player. He’s a player with a modern style of play and that always gives his best for his team. Elneny is a very tactically-useful player. He is very active inside the pitch and what strikes me the most is how he protects his team,” Wenger told beIN Sports as quoted by Kingfut.
As big a fan as Wenger is of Elneny, he is expected to be on his way out this summer. Selling him will raise funds for Arsenal, which can help them get their targets in the transfer window. But whether they can get a club to sign him permanently will be the big issue.
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