Arsene Wenger hopes to announce the signing of Mohamed Elneny from FC Basel within the "next 24 hours".
When asked about the 23-year-old midfielder, who has completed a medical ahead of his £7.4m move, the manager said in his briefing after the Gunners' 3-1 FA Cup third round win over Sunderland:
“We hope to announce a player in the next 24 to 48 hours," Wenger said.
“I don’t need to tell you the name. After that we will see [about other deals]."
It has been reported that the initial work permit problems over the player's move have now been sorted.
Arsenal, the FA Cup holders came from behind to beat a much-changed Sunderland side in their third-round meeting at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger is looking to win the trophy for a third successive year but, with their place at the top of the Barclays Premier League to defend, the Frenchman made five changes with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker rested.
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce also made changes as he said he would but his visitors, with seven alterations from the win over Aston Villa, took the lead before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.
It was Jeremain Lens who put the Black Cats ahead after a defensive mishap but Joel Campbell levelled before goals from substitute Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud saw the hosts through comfortably.
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