Arsenal transfer target flying in to complete £5m deal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger got his holiday shopping done early and is poised to make FC Basel defensive midfielder Mohamed Elneny his first big signing of 2016 (or his last big signing of 2015). With terms of a deal believed to have been set already, the Gunners are bringing in their transfer target to sign the deal as soon as possible.

Per the Metro, Arsenal have actually arranged for Elneny to fly into London and sign the contract at Emirates Stadium within the next few days. FC Basel will reportedly receive a £5 million transfer fee for the 23-year-old Egyptian star.

Arsenal have been ravaged by injuries to their midfield this season with star players like Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere out for the foreseeable future, and with their depth tested with wounds to Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta and others sidelined as well.

Elneny has appeared in five matches for Basel in the Europa League this season, scoring two goals – both against Fiorentina – and earning Man of the Match honors back in September.