Arsenal have completed the signing of midfielder Mohamed Elneny from FC Basel on a long-term contract, the Premier League club have confirmed.
The Egyptian's arrival has been imminent since he missed training on Monday to hold talks with the Gunners and undergo a medical, and he has now put pen to paper on a deal worth a reported £5 million.
Elneny becomes the first outfield player Arsenal have signed in a year, since Gabriel arrived from Villarreal last January, with Petr Cech infamously the only signing made over the summer
"The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes," read a statement from the club. "Everyone at Arsenal would like to welcome Mohamed to the club."
The 23-year-old has been capped 39 times by Egypt and has enjoyed a real surge in form this term, scoring four goals in 21 appearances for Basel this season and impressing in the Europa League.
Wenger has been scouring the market for a new midfielder for some time, though injuries to Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta increased the need for fresh blood even further.
It’s official! @ElNennyM has joined @Arsenal https://t.co/EXB8o9Fbu6 #ElnenySigns pic.twitter.com/DWHoBL7DtB
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 14, 2016
