Arsenal have agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with FC Basel’s Mohamed Elneny but the player has not yet finalised the move thanks to the Foreign office and their red tape.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Elneny did not qualify for a work permit due to the fact that he doesn’t meet their requirements as Egypt have dropped out of the Top 50 FIFA Nations (and the fact that Arsenal always seem to have problems getting work permits while Manchester United get them without bother for players from countries we haven’t even heard of).

Mohamed Elneny reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the UEFA Europa League football match between FC Basel and KKS Lech Poznan at St. Jakob Park stadium in Basel on October 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI
Bloody work permits! AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

According to a report in the Daily Star, Arsenal appealed the decision to deny Elneny a work permit and were successful but finalising the permit has taken longer that anticipated which has led to the delay we’re currently experiencing.

Speaking on Friday about the deal, Arsene Wenger said “It is complicated a little bit but we are working hard on it and hopefully in the next two or three days we will get to the end of it.”

Elneny is expected to be the only arrival at the club during this window despite Arsenal being linked with a new player every day.