Arsenal is prepared to cash in on Mohamed Elneny, although that would mean forcing Ainsley Maitland-Niles to stay beyond the January transfer window.
The Sun reports that the Gunners are facing a minor midfield dilemma ahead of the new year.
They kept both Elneny and Maitland-Niles beyond the last transfer window but have offered them very little football in this campaign.
Both players had wanted out in the summer and now Arsenal could face renewed calls to let them leave again.
Elneny is likely to be out for a few weeks in January with the Egypt national team at the African Cup of Nations.
Thomas Partey will also represent Ghana in the competition.
However, the report says the Gunners could sell Elneny in the winter transfer window, meaning his absence would likely not affect them.
The Egyptian has an expiring deal and there is little appetite to continue their relationship from the part of the club and player.
Arsenal is now open to making a small fee from selling him before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
The Egyptian has spent time out of the Emirates on loan before and would want regular first-team football in the second half of the season.
However, he might also decide to remain at Arsenal and sign a pre-contract with another club ahead of a summer transfer instead.
How a player of this extremely moderate standard has remained so long – or even at all- at our club and under our last THREE managers, is both a mystery and a disgrace, IMO.
THE SOONER HE LEAVES, THE BETTER OUR CLUB AND TEAM WILL BE
I ACCEPT HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN HONEST TRYER WHO WORKS HARD.
BUT SURELY ANY AMBITIOUS CLUB NEEDS POOR PLAYERS OF THIS STANDARD NOWHERE NEAR THE CLUB!
Obviously not on Newcastle’s radar then?
Exactly Jon couldn’t say it better myself, I was a honest player too and I’d run myself into the ground, but I didn’t make a professional footballer let alone play for arsenal, its great being a player who gives a 100% but you need talent as well…
Elneny is a very hard working player giving his all. He has had some very good games, sad he couldnt make it big at Arsenal. If and when he goes, wish him the very best.