Mohamed Elneny 'passes medical' at Arsenal ahead of £7.3m transfer

Egyptian international set to become Arsenal's first signing of the January transfer window

Mohamed Elneny (GETTY IMAGES)

Mohamed Elneny is understood to have passed a medical at Arsenal and is on the verge of completing a £7.3m move from Basel.

The midfielder has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners, meaning a work permit is all that remains to be finalised before the 23-year-old makes the switch.

That work permit should be granted, but is somewhat complicated. Football Association rules state foreign players must have played a minimum percentage of international matches for their country over the previous 24 months, and that country must by in the top 50 of Fifa's world rankings. Elneny is a regular in the Egypt side, however they have slipped to 57 in the rankings.

However, with Elneny appearing in every competitive match for Egypt over the last two years, Arsenal are expected to be given special dispensation to sign him.

The midfielder will provide cover for Arsenal's injury ravaged side that has seen Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla join Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta on the sidelines. Eleny can play either in a holding role or a more advanced position.