Basel’s Mohamed Elneny passes medical ahead of Arsenal move

Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny has passed a medical ahead of his proposed €10 million (£7.3 million) move to Arsenal, although the Egypt international must still be granted a work permit for the transfer to be completed.

The 23-year-old, who moved to Switzerland in 2013 from Egyptian side Al Mokawloon, had already agreed personal terms for his move to the Emirates as cover for the injured Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla.

The only stumbling block which now remains is for Elneny to be granted a work permit, which is complicated by the fact that Egypt have slipped outside of the top 50 in Fifa’s rankings having failed to qualify for any of the last three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Under new regulations introduced by the Football Associations at the end of last season, non-EEA (European Economic Area) players have to meet a minimum percentage of international matches played for their country over the previous 24 month period, as long as they are in the top 50.

Egypt’s current position of 57 does not meet those requirements, meaning that Arsenal are likely to face an appeal. But with Elneny having featured in every single competitive match for the Pharaohs over the past two years, they are expected to be granted special dispensation to sign him.

A versatile central midfielder who can play in the holding role and also in a more advanced position, Elneny has scored two goals in 16 league appearances for Basel so far this season.

Asked on Wednesday whether a deal was close, manager Arsene Wenger said: “You know more than me. Sadly we cannot announce anything at the moment. Nothing has been concluded.”