Galatasaray have ‘stepped up’ their negotiations with Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny ahead of a move in January.
That’s according to Vatan, who say the Gunners are desperate to get rid of the Egyptian to get him off the books.
Elneny has played a peripheral role under Mikel Arteta this season, having fallen further down the pecking order following the arrival of Sambi Lokonga.
His contract at Arsenal expires in the summer, and there is no sign that the Gunners want to extend it beyond that point.
That means he is free to negotiate with clubs come January, and he has subsequently been linked with a move back to Turkey.
Galatasaray are keen on his signature, and reports this week have indicated that a deal is pretty much done, with it even stated Arsenal chief Edu has negotiated with Elneny’s agent to let him go on a free.
Vatan pick up on that and confirm Galatasaray are trying to sign the midfielder and have ‘stepped up’ their ‘contacts’ with the Arsenal man.
He’s reportedly valued at €10m, but Arsenal are ‘keen’ for the player to leave in January so they can get him off the books.
There is one problem, though, and that’s his wage demands. According to Vatan’s information, Galatasaray’s Burak Elmas met with coach Fatih Terim, who wants to sign the Arsenal man, and told him (this will be paraphrased): “He wants 3 million euros per year, in these circumstances, it is impossible for us to transfer Elneny.”
That, then, suggests there is work to be done on the deal, even if Arsenal are seemingly doing all they can to make it happen.
