OPINION
Arsenal have reportedly made midfielder Mohamed Elneny available for a move away from the Emirates in the January transfer window – and Celtic need to have an audacious go at signing the Egyptian powerhouse.
The Sun has recently reported that the Gunners are looking to offload Elneny, 26, and will be happy to receive £15million for the former Basel defensive midfielder.
It is understood that Leicester could have a go at signing the Emirates outcast, who has not played in the league under Unai Emery, however Celtic must also ensure that they are in the hunt for his signature when January comes around as Brendan Rodgers’ side is crying out for some extra strength in depth in the midfield.
The Hoops’ midfield has been decimated by injuries this season.
Scott Brown, Youssouf Mulumbu, Nir Bitton, Eboue Kouassi and Olivier Ntcham all missed the club’s 0-0 draw with Livingston before the international break so it is clear that it is an area that Rodgers needs to add to.
Not only have the injuries been an issue but it is a position that needs upgrading anyway.
Although Brown’s form has been incredible, he is not getting any younger and Celtic could do with a younger player who can step up once he has finally gone. Mulumbu, Bitton and Kouassi have all had regular injury and fitness problems, plus they lack a bit of quality, so Elneny could certainly be a step up from any of them.
What would be a problem for Celtic is Arsenal’s £15million valuation of the Egypt international, who according to statistics website Spotrac is also earning £50,000-a-week in the Premier League.
The Bhoys will definitely have some money to spend going into January having cashed in on Moussa Dembele late in the summer without signing any kind of replacement.
They could also be able to force Arsenal to lower their asking price with some shrewd negotiations and if they cannot do that, a loan deal would surely be an option for both clubs.
It would definitely be a bold move by Celtic but they could really do with a player like Elneny who has bags of top-flight and European experience and would add some seriously strong cover to a Hoops defence that has struggled.
Rodgers could play an absolute blinder if he is able to pull this off.