Mohamed Elneny may still leave Arsenal before the end of the January transfer window, despite linking up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations this month.

TOPSHOT - Arsenal's Egyptian midfielder #25 Mohamed Elneny heads the ball during the English League Cup third round football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny heads the ball during the English League Cup third round football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports for GiveMeSport that Mohamed Elneny is drawing interest from Besiktas and other clubs in Turkey, alongside interest from Saudi Arabia, and it’s a possibility that the midfielder leaves Arsenal this month.

Romano had already linked Elneny with Trabzonspor and Galatasaray at the end of last month, and the midfielder’s former loan club Besiktas have consistently been in the mix.

Alex Crook of talkSPORT previously confirmed interest in Elneny from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, with Arsenal reportedly needing to sell players on before they can make signings this month.

Arsenal's Egyptian midfielder #25 Mohamed Elneny and team mates warm up prior to a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny and team mates warm up prior to a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

For the time being, Elneny will be focusing on the Africa Cup of Nations and his participation with Egypt.

Elneny has already played in a 2-2 draw for Egypt against Mozambique, and they’re set to face fellow Group B sides Ghana and Cape Verde in the coming days.

Egypt take on Ghana on Thursday, January 18th at 20:00 GMT, followed by Cape Verde on Monday, January 22nd at 20:00 GMT.

If Elneny wants to complete a January transfer and Egypt progress through the competition, he’ll have to juggle matches and transfer negotiations.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Mohamed Elneny and Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal celebrate the team's victory at full-time following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mohamed Elneny and Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal celebrate the team’s victory at full-time following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The AFCON round-of-16 matches take place from January 27th to January 30th, the quarter-finals take place on February 2nd and 3rd, the semi-finals on February 7th, and the final on February 11th.

There’s also a third-place play-off on February 10th, so progression to the semi-finals guarantees you’ll remain at the tournament at least until then.

With the Saudi Arabian transfer window closing at the end of January and the Turkish league on February 9th, Egypt’s hypothetical progression to the semi-finals would put Elneny beyond both deadlines.

Elneny has a contract with Arsenal lasting until the summer, at which point he’d be available on a free transfer.