Arsenal have no plans to sell Mohamed Elneny in the January transfer window amid reported interest in the Egyptian midfielder from Besiktas, football.london understands.
The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Besiktas where he made 36 appearances after former head coach Unai Emery deemed him surplus to requirements at the club.
Reports in Turkey had claimed that Besiktas want to make a permanent move for Elneny and are readying a bid of €7m, but football.london understands Arsenal have no intention of selling the midfielder this month as they look to challenge for the Europa League and push for a top four Premier League finish.
Elneny returned to Arsenal in August and was immediately given a chance to prove himself by manager Mikel Arteta, who had previously played with the ex-Basel midfielder when the two were team-mates at Emirates Stadium.
“He [Arteta] speaks to me always, saying things like ‘we need you on the team’ and he is always giving me good feedback and always pushing me to get the best from me. I’m really happy to be here," said Elneny.
“I’ll give 100 per cent every day in the training and if they give me a chance to play, I will always give 100 per cent."
Elneny is competing for a spot in Arsenal's midfield with Thomas Partey, Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, while Joe Willock has been earmarked as available for a loan move to aid his development.
"I think he's responding really well to all the challenges we're putting in front of him," Arteta said when asked about Elneny in November.
"He had a big one when he came back from his loan spell to show what he can bring to the squad.
"I think everybody's seen what he can do. I'm really pleased with his performances and what he can bring to the team."
football.london understands that Arsenal are still in the market for a creative midfielder this month and are exploring their options, with Norwich's Emi Buendia at the forefront of technical director Edu's transfer plans.
Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt has also been linked and it's understood the German giants have set an asking price of €25million for the 24-year-old midfielder.
