Arsenal are willing to let Mohamed Elneny leave for a reasonable price in the January transfer window, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Arsenal FC and Dundalk FC at Emirates Stadium on October 29, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Arsenal FC and Dundalk FC at Emirates Stadium on October 29, 2020. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Turkish outlet Fotomac report (via Sport Witness) that Galatasaray are desperate for a new midfielder, which will force them into the transfer market in January.

According to the claims, Galatasaray are likely to make a move for Mohamed Elneny, with Arsenal planning to let the Egypt international go for an affordable price.

On the one hand, this wouldn’t be a huge shock, after Elneny was linked to Galatasaray in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, and he continues to struggle for any minutes at all with Arsenal.

The 29-year-old’s contract also expires at the end of the season, so January is Arsenal’s last chance to cash in. If Galatasaray are desperate for reinforcements, they may be one of few clubs who might actually pay to sign Elneny so close to the end of his deal.

But there are reasons to be cynical. Firstly, Arsenal players are regularly linked to Turkish clubs by Turkish outlets, and the rumours rarely go anywhere. Mesut Özil is an exception, and he had a very personal connection to Fenerbahce.

There’s also AFCON. Unless the transfer happened right at the start of January, or Egypt exit AFCON early, Elneny would need to be negotiating his transfer during the international competition – which lasts from January 9th to February 6th.

If Galatasaray are so desperate for a midfielder immediately, Elneny’s AFCON absence for up to a month is also not particularly appealing.

The Super Lig club would likely only get him in and integrated from mid-February until May. How much are they really going to offer for three months of football?

It doesn’t seem impossible Arsenal agree to a cut-price departure though. Elneny has been patient and hard-working during his time with the club, and he’s very much a fringe player right now. So I wouldn’t rule out a move entirely.