Mohamed Elneny has given his approval to a Galatasaray move to sign him, and a transfer is edging closer, according to reports in Turkey.

Fanatik report that Mohamed Elneny has given the green light to a transfer to Galatasaray. The club are looking for a new defensive midfielder, and Elneny is the player closest to a move right now.

Galatasaray are hoping to sign Elneny without paying a fee, though it’s not clear whether that means in January or the summer.

Elneny’s deal expires in June, so the Turkish side are able to agree a pre-contract agreement for a free transfer in the summer. But they may be looking at Arsenal’s deal with Fenerbahce for Mesut Ozil and hoping they can get the midfielder in earlier than that.

Technically, Fenerbahce did agree on a transfer fee for Ozil, but it was entirely composed of future bonuses. They didn’t pay anything upfront.

Turkish outlet Fotomac recently reported that Galatasaray are desperate for a new midfielder, which would force them into the transfer market in January.

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.

But unless a transfer happens 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.

Better to get things sorted before January gets underway, if possible.