Arsenal Transfer News: Mohamed Elneny Concerns, Latest Lorenzo Insigne Rumours

Arsenal's transfer move for Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny may be under threat, as the Egyptian is in danger of being refused a work permit.

Per Sport Witness (h/t Daily Star's Colin Harvey), the 23-year-old has already passed a medical ahead of the proposed move, but he's not eligible for an automatic work permit under the revised rules, as Egypt is not currently ranked among FIFA's top 50 ranked nations.

Sport Witness explain:

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The hold up is likely to be over a work permit, with Elneny failing the automatic test in the new rules. Previously Elneny would have been fine, being a regular for a FIFA top 70 ranked country. 

However, the new rules limit automatic qualification to the top 50 ranked countries by FIFA. It's averaged over 2 years, with Egypt up to 57th this year from 60th last year. ...

Elneny is unlikely to pick up points for his domestic football with FC Basel, because only the top 6 European leagues are counted. Due to a relatively low transfer fee, and assuming Elneny isn't set to become one of Arsenal's better paid players, the midfielder may struggle to pick up the 4 points required at initial appeal status.

Even if he does get the 4 points, an appeal can still be rejected and, confusingly, if he does not it can still granted when other circumstances are considered.

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Much has already been said about the club's sudden interest in Elneny, a relatively unknown player most fans probably had never heard of just a few weeks ago. With the Gunners in the midst of a Premier League title challenge, it's a little surprising to see manager Arsene Wenger move for an unproven player from a smaller league.

TV personality and diehard Arsenal fan Piers Morgan was anything but impressed when he found out:

Elneny is no Kim Kallstrom, however. The Egypt international is enjoying a fine season with Basel and has been one of the top performers in the Europa League so far.

A clever playmaker who likes to be around the ball, he's reminiscent of current Gunners star Santi Cazorla. He may not be as gifted a passer as the Spaniard, but he has superb vision and an excellent work rate to go with a killer shot from long distance and enough physical strength to hold his own defensively.

Per WhoScored.com, he also looks like a strong fit for Arsenal's midfield, which likes to move about quickly:

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Cazorla has already missed a hefty chunk of time and won't be returning to the pitch anytime soon, so Elneny would be a great addition at this point in time, both as immediate depth in the midfield area and a long-term prospect with the potential to grow into the role on a full-time basis.

The transfer still seems likely, although the ongoing work-permit issue will complicate matters. Patience will be in order as the Gunners launch their appeal.

Lorenzo Insigne Comments on Transfer Links

Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Antonio Ottaiano, the agent of Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne, has told reporters his client “enjoys” interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, but he remains committed to the Partenopei for now.

Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli (h/t London Evening Standard's Tom Dutton), Ottaiano certainly made it sound as if Insigne isn't going anywhere in the near future:

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We enjoy the interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.

We’re talking about two clubs at the top of world football, but Lorenzo is focused on Napoli and his personal and team objectives.

He’s wearing the shirt he dreamed of wearing as a child, and he’ll give his all to bring great satisfaction to the fans.

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The 24-year-old has already scored seven goals and added five assists in Serie A action this season, per WhoScored.com, despite playing the bulk of his minutes as a winger. He's been far more heavily involved with the Partenopei during the ongoing campaign, keeping talented Belgium international Dries Mertens on the bench.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Insigne's name seems to come up in just about every transfer window, but the Italy international is finally starting to make a name for himself with his boyhood club and has already become something of a local hero.

Born in Naples, the winger has likely dreamt of starring in the iconic blue shirt all of his life. It's hard to see any scenario in which he would even consider leaving Napoli at this time, and a transfer is highly unlikely.

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