Club have ‘entered into negotiations’ to sign Arsenal player in January – Agent already flown to assess offer

Al-Ittihad have ‘entered into negotiations’ with Arsenal over a deal for midfielder Mohamed Elneny to join in the January transfer window.

That’s according to news outlet Al-Madina, who say Elneny’s agent has already flown to Jeddah in the last few days to study the details of the offer.

Elneny is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer, and there has been no indication that he will be signing a new deal at the Emirates.

He had found himself out of favour under manager Mikel Arteta this season but has featured more prominently in recent weeks, first as a substitute against Liverpool, then starting the clash with Manchester United.

His contract situation means he is free to talk to clubs outside of England in January regarding a free transfer next summer, and there’s been plenty of rumours.

He’s been most heavily linked with a return to Turkey, where both Besiktas and Fenerbahce are big admirers and keen on his signature.

It seems he has another option, though, with Al-Madina reporting that Al-Ittihad have ‘entered into negotiations’ with both Arsenal and the player about a move in January.

In fact, his agent has reportedly flown to Jeddah to examine the offer that the Saudi Arabian Pro League side have put on the table.

That’s all they offer at this point in time, so we’ll have to take this report with a pinch of salt, particularly after Elneny’s father recently said he wouldn’t be leaving the club as Arsenal wanted to keep him.