Related Egypt midfielder Elneny says he joined Premier League giants Arsenal

Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny said on Sunday he has all but joined English giants Arsenal, sealing a dream move to the elite Premier League.

The 23-year-old told Ahram's Arabic news website that he had undergone a medical at Arsenal on Saturday and will put pen to paper on a contract with the Gunners later on Sunday.

Elneny, a product of the youth academy of Cairo giants Ahly before moving to fellow Premier League club Arab Contractors, joins Arsenal from Swiss side Basel for 6.5 million sterling pounds. The club is yet to confirm the deal.

He has been a key figure for Basel since joining the club in January 2013, helping them to three league titles. He has also produced some superb displays this season, scoring six goals in all competitions – two in the Swiss league, two in the Europa League and two in the Swiss Cup.

Elneny was widely praised for his goals in the Europa League, the continent's secondary club competition, as he helped Basel reach the last 32, where they will meet French side Saint Etienne in February.

His goals included a screamer which led Basel to a 2-1 comeback victory away to Italy's Fiorentina in their opening Group I clash in September.

His arrival could help ease the midfield injury crisis of Arsenal, who are having to do without the likes of Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta as they bid for their first Premier League title since 2004.

Elneny joins a long list of Egyptian players to taste Premier League football in the past 15 years.

The list includes Ibrahim Said (Everton), Mido (Tottenham Hotspur, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough, West Ham), Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County), Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough), Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic, Hull City), Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland, Hull City), Gedo, Ahmed Fathi (Hull City) and Mohamed Salah (Chelsea).

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

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