Report: Arsenal to sign FC Basel's Mohamed Elneny in January

Saddled by a long-term injury to standout defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin, Arsenal are set to sign FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny during the January transfer window.

A typically Arsene Wenger-like coup in a similar fashion to Gabriel's signing from Villarreal, all that's left is to agree on personal terms with the 23-year-old Egyptian international, according to the Mirror's John Cross.

The transfer fee is believed to be in the area of £5 million for the 39-time capped international, and while not a tackle-friendly defensive midfielder in the mould of Coquelin, Elneny should provide cover for the Frenchman until his mid-February return from knee ligament damage.

Central midfielders Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta, and Tomas Rosicky are all out of contract at season's end. With none of the aging trio likely playing a role in 2016-17 for the Gunners, Elneny's reported signing leaves room for a major summer signing.