Egypt's midfielder Mohamed Elneny gives a thumbs up to Mohamed Salah during a training session at an annex of the Olembe stadium in Yaounde on February 5, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

AFCON performances draw interest in Arsenal 29yo

Feb 10, 2022

Mohamed Elneny’s performances at the Africa Cup of Nations have drawn interest in him from Europe for a summer transfer.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 02, 2021. (Photo by Alex Livesey / Getty Images)

Football.London report that Mohamed Elneny is being targeted by several European clubs following his performances for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The player’s contract expires in the summer and he’s previously drawn approaches from Fenerbahce and Besiktas.

Football.London don’t confirm whether the same two clubs are in for him this time around, but you’d expect they would be given his free-agent status.

After making a run all the way to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, it was no real surprise to see Elneny selected in CAF’s Team of the Tournament for the event.

Elneny started all of Egypt’s seven matches at AFCON, and he only came off early twice – in the 78th minute against Guinea-Bissau, and in the 86th minute against Cameroon.

As a result, he played more minutes at AFCON than he has for Arsenal all season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal gives instructions during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal gives instructions during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

In January, Elneny was drawing interest from Saudi Arabia for a potential free transfer in the summer, but it seems he’s now getting calls from Europe as well.

For the time being, Elneny remains Arsenal’s most-experienced backup midfielder when Thomas Partey or Granit Xhaka are unavailable.