It’s hard to imagine that any club was written about more this past January than Newcastle United, as the club’s hefty transfer budget led to gossip columns erupting with rumours left, right, and centre of potential new arrivals at St James’ Park.
One player whose name was linked with the club on more than one occasion was Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Both Craig Hope (The Mail) and Luke Edwards (The Telegraph) reported that Newcastle were keen on the 89-times capped Egyptian prior to his run to the AFCON final, and now, his agent has confirmed our interest.
Speaking to Mega FM 92.7, an Egyptian radio station, Elneny’s agent Alan Nazmy is reported to have said:
“Mohamed Elneny doesn’t follow social media directly, but sometimes someone from his circle would send him news about him or criticism.
“The player’s contract expires at the end of the current season, and Arteta rejected all offers that came for Elneny and asked that him to stay with the team.
“Newcastle United, Valencia, Lyon, and the largest known Turkish clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, wanted to sign Elneny, but in the end Arteta and the Arsenal management refused.”
While this could just be an agent’s attempts to get his client a better deal, be that a new contract at Arsenal or a move elsewhere when his contract expires in just over four months.
The January reports from Hope and Edwards suggest there’s some substance behind his claims, so he could still be one to watch given his contract situation.
But what do you think of any potential free transfer this summer? Should Newcastle be aiming for better? Or is he the kind of sensible move the club needs to look at to balance the squad?
With Hendrick set to move on once he returns from his loan, Sean Longstaff out of contract and Isaac Hayden seemingly out of Howe’s first-team plans, we may be looking for a midfielder or two in a few months time…
Elneny is basically a defensive mid-fielder, albeit that he once shoot over Newcastle’s previous poor defense. We need more like B. Guimaraes. Decan Rice type of players are best suited for the job.
Joy for Geordie(Quote)