Arsenal outcast Mohamed Elneny has reportedly been tipped to leave the club this summer with West Ham United emerging as contenders to sign the Egyptian.
Arsenal could be set for some late transfer activity, only this time one of their players is expected to leave. Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny has been widely expected to leave the North London club this summer and his future could soon be decided. According to Ahly News, Elneny is interesting West Ham United, with the Londoners looking to secure a cut-price deal for him.
Unai Emery and the Arsenal board are keeping themselves busy with a flurry of transfer activity. Though they are yet to close out important deals, there could be some potential departures. Elneny is the player in focus here as the Egyptian is clearly out-of-favour with Emery.
Last season, Elneny only came into the picture when injuries force the Arsenal boss to fall back on the Egyptian who managed 17 appearances in all competitions. The Gunners were thought to be open to offers before the transfer window opened this summer, but back then valued him more than the €10 million they want now.
With Arsenal’s pursuit the wantaway Wilfried Zaha ongoing, the club were looking to include him as part of the deal for the Ivory Coast international to drive his price down. The Gunners were also ready to add €40 million in addition to Elneny, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson. But, Palace understandably rejected the idea as they were looking for a straight cash deal for Zaha.
With Crystal Palace not interested, there was no significant interest in Elneny. But, with Arsenal more keen than ever to raise funds and add to their meagre summer transfer budget, they are now ready to sell the midfielder in a cut-price deal. West Ham United are, so far, the only interested club to sign the 27-year-old.
The Hammers are thought to be willing to stump the €10 million asking price and bring the Egyptian to the London Stadium. It is understood that West Ham are also willing to pay the requested salary for the midfielder. Thus, for the second successive summer, the East London club could sign an Arsenal midfielder following Jack Wilshere’s move last year.
West Ham have indeed been in search of a midfielder this summer, with Pedro Obiang set to join Sassuolo. Former Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, who had also interested Arsenal, was a key target before his move to Everton. As a result, the Hammers have turned their attention towards Elneny.
The Egyptian might not resemble the ideal choice for West Ham, but he sure has been a consistent performer during his time at Arsenal, specifically under Arsene Wenger. How much playing time he might get at the London Stadium is still a big question, but he would hope to feature more regularly if he indeed makes the cross-London move this summer.
