Arsenal have secured the signing of FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny for a fee that could rise as high as £7.4m.  

The 23-year-old Egyptian midfielder is likely to be the club’s only singing in January. According to reports from The Times, the Basel midfielder passed his medical in Paris yesterday and will join the Arsenal squad as soon as he has received a work permit.

Elneny joined Basle in 2013 and has made 91 appearances for the Swiss champions. He is also a regular member to the Egypt national squad, and has 39 international caps to his name. He is unlikely to have any VISA problems, but certainly won’t be available for selection against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Arsenal are missing several key midfield players – Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, and Thomas Rosicky – through injury and therefore Elneny’s arrival will provide Wenger with much-needed reinforcement in midfield.

Elneny is a solid defensive midfielder who is mainly seen as a cover for the aforementioned absentees in the short term but Wenger believes the Egyptian has the potential to be a long term success at the club.

Arsenal are ready to wait until the summer to bring in further additions, with Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama thought to be Wenger’s priority target.