ARSENAL star Mohamed Eleny is a January transfer target for mega-rich Newcastle, according to reports.
The Egyptian midfielder has been a bit-part player under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta since he took charge.
He has been resigned to the substitutes bench this season, and has barely featured in the Premier League.
And the Mirror report that Toon chief Eddie Howe is targeting the 29-year-old in a deal next month.
His contract runs out next June, but the Magpies want to land him six months earlier for a small fee.
Elneny is one of five players Howe is understood to have put on his wishlist ahead of the new transfer window.
Tottenham’s Joe Rodon, Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Lille’s Sven Botman and Mathias Ginter of Borussia Monchengladbach are the four other reported targets.
Howe has instilled belief that the Magpies have what it takes to stay in the Premier League after guiding the club to their first win over the season last weekend.
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And by showing that the club are not certs for the drop, players will be more inclined to join Howe’s revolution.
Turkish duo Galatasaray and Besiktas have also been linked with a move for Egypt international Elneny.
The midfielder spent the 2019/20 season on loan with Istanbul-based side Besiktas.
He played 36 times while on loan in Turkey, and was reportedly on the verge of a return in the summer until talks broke down.
But Elneny has played just 149 minutes of Premier League football this season, and now seems destined to move on from Arsenal in the near future.
It just remains to be seen whether that will be for a cut-price fee in January, or on a free transfer in the summer.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk