Club think they can sign ‘amazing’ Arsenal player in January; in other to free up funds for Joao Felix loan
Unai Emery wants to bring Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny to Villa Park in January, in a move which could free up funds for the Gunners.
The Mirror (print, P78, 08/01), claims that Emery is keen on bringing Elneny to Villa in a deal worth around £6m.
It’s claimed that Emery wants to bring the experienced Arsenal man in to bolster his midfield options. The former Arsenal manager worked with Elneny in north London, albeit their relationship was hardly the best.
However, Elneny finds himself down the pecking order in terms of first-team selection at Arsenal right now.
Despite having a good relationship with Mikel Arteta and being lauded as ‘amazing‘ by the Spanish coach, Elneny could relish the chance to play first-team football.
“He was really good. He’s been out for eight weeks, we expected him to be out for 12 weeks, he had an amazing recovery,” Arteta has said of Elneny.
“He’s a guy that has been pushing everybody around the training ground to be ready as quick as possible and today, I think he competed really well.”
Villa are looking to kick on under Emery after an inconsistent start to his life as manager.
Our View: Elneny would be a loss for Arsenal
Despite not being a first-team regular, all the best clubs need top professionals around the building and Mo Elneny seems to be just that.
As Arteta said, he pushes the others on in training and it’s no surprise the Gunners coach likes him so much.
However, if Villa pay £6m for Elneny, then that is effectively the money needed for Arsenal to pay the loan fee of Joao Felix. The Gunners are wanting to sign the Atletico star, and this could be their chance.
Certainly, despite the love for Elneny, moving him out to land Joao Felix is a deal most Arsenal fans would take.
