Reports | Mohamed Elneny set for loan move to Besiktas

According to reports from Sky Sports, Mohamed Elneny will land in Istanbul on Friday to sign a year-long loan with Turkish giants Besiktas. The midfielder is out of favour at the Emirates and has yet to feature in a matchday squad this season. The 27 year old former FC Basel player made just 17 appearances in all competitions during the 2018-19 campaign, with just eight of those coming in the Premier League. 

He is yet to feature in a matchday squad this season, having been sidelined from the current squad alongside Skhodran Mustafi. Unai Emery has said that the two players are free to leave and it would be better for their careers as well. 

“Elneny and Mustafi know their situation in the squad. I spoke with them a lot of times last year and in this pre-season. I think it’s positive for them to leave and to sign for another team where they can be protagonists, they can be happy and they can continue in their careers as very big players. They are very big players

“I think now the best for them is to be protagonists in another team, to sign and to get another challenge for them individually and collectively with another team. But really we respect them and they are training with us and they know the situation and only I am wishing the best for them.” Emery told Sky Sports.

Eleny has been linked to Galatasaray in the past few days, but sources close to the Emirates feel that the move to Besiktas is imminent. According to Goal.com, Arsenal preferred to sell the 27-year-old this summer, who still has three years left on the contract extension he signed in March 2018. However, Besiktas have settled on a loan deal and will pay the majority of his £50,000 a week wages.