Out-of-favour Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny could be sold this summer as Arsenal look to trim their wage bill, with Besiktas showing an interest.

Arsenal are already making plans for incomings and outgoings once the season ends. Fotospor are now reporting of a possible move for the out-of-favour holding midfielder, Mohamed Elneny, who could be sold in the next transfer window, with Besiktas showing an interest in him.

Mohamed Elneny would have been hoping for better opportunities this season under new manager Unai Emery, but the Egyptian has been reduced to a bit-part player. Emery has not preferred the Egyptian to help his side, restricting him to making appearances in cup competitions and the Europa League.

Elneny had signed a new Arsenal contract around this time last year, but since his role diminished, he’s been looking out for other options to continue his career. The Egyptian has made only 11 appearances in all competitions this season, with just four coming in the Premier League, compared to his 32 outings from last season.

Since the arrival of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, Emery has preferred the duo over the experienced holding midfielder. Still only 26, Elneny can look forward to continuing his career elsewhere, aware about the fact that he is unlikely to feature regularly for Arsenal.

Elneny could leave Arsenal in the summer. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Elneny could leave Arsenal in the summer. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

As for his new options, Besiktas are showing an interest, with the Turkish side looking at players to replace their current star, Atiba Hutchinson, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season. Elneny would fit the bill and is unlikely to be too expensive either.

Arsenal, however, will look to make a profit on the £5 million they paid FC Basel to sign Elneny. The Egyptian is believed to be valued over £10 million, and the Gunners think they can get at least that much for the holding midfielder.

Elneny’s possible sale aligns with Arsenal’s reported policy ahead of the summer transfer window to offload the deadwood, as they hope to trim their wage bill. In this matter, even Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s name has been mentioned as a possible departure in the summer, but Elneny is expected to be one of the players on top of that list for the Gunners.

Besiktas might be a good option for Elneny, considering a role of a regular would open up upon Atiba Hutchinson’s departure, with Gary Medel also slated to depart in the summer.

As for the current season, Elneny could still prove to be useful in Arsenal’s run-in in the Premier League as well as the Europa League. With Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka both suffering injuries during the international break, the Egyptian could yet still come into Emery’s plans for the next few games.

Looking at the future, there is none for Elneny at Arsenal, and despite having a contract until 2022, it is time for him to leave and pursue his career elsewhere. It now remains to be seen if Besiktas indeed offer him the escape route, as the report mentions, or if some other club swoops him away instead.

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