Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Chasing Marcelo Brozovic, Mohamed Elneny Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly ordered the club to complete the signing of Marcelo Brozovic this winter, while a move for Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny is alleged to be inches from completion.

Italian outlet Calcio Mercato claimed Inter will sell Brozovic to the Gunners in January if they're willing to stump up the £18.4 million necessary to do so (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw).

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The Croatia international is currently on loan at the San Siro from Dinamo Zagreb, but Inter have an option to purchase Brozovic and are reported to be open to a sale if it allows them to turn a quick profit on his signature.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Brozovic is also wanted by La Liga giants Barcelona, but they're looking to sign the 23-year-old next summer rather than in the new year (h/t Spanish daily Sport).

Brozovic would be available to play for Arsenal in the Champions League considering he hasn't featured in Europe yet this season, but the cost of the deal means the north Londoners could be priced out.

In any case, Wenger would first need to see if the Nerazzurri make good on their intention to purchase the playmaker outright from Zagreb before they can plan any poaching of their own.

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The transfer of Elneny is not only a more cost-effective deal, but the latest speculation has declared the Egypt international is closing in on a move after the Gunners agreed a deal with his current club, Basel.

That's according to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones, who reported a £7.4 million transfer is in place and all that's needed is for Elneny's visa clearance to go through before the deal is done. BBC Sport's David Ornstein confirmed the move is nearing completion:

Egyptian outlet Ahram Online previously reported Elneny had undergone a medical with the Gunners ahead of his switch, ready to offer Wenger some much-needed backup in central midfield (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson).

Not only that, but some Gunners will perhaps be glad to hear the Daily Mail's Rob Draper liken the player to a "younger [Mathieu] Flamini," evidence he's a more specialised anchor, precisely what the squad needs:

Arsenal were pleased to see Francis Coquelin excel in defensive midfield over the past year, but the Gunners grew reliant on the Frenchman and are now suffering slightly in his injury absence.

Elneny is an affordable winter option to replenish the engine-room ranks, and he'll also be fit to feature in the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Barca, giving him only more appeal as a January recruit.