Mohamed Elneny to Arsenal: midfielder misses training as Basel confirm deal will be completed 'in the coming days'

The 23-year-old will be the first outfield player signed by Arsenal this season

Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny (Getty Images)

Mohamed Elneny's transfer from FC Basel to Arsenal is set to be completed "in the coming days", the Swiss club have confirmed.

In a statement on their website, Basel explained the midfielder's absence from training because "there could be a transfer in the coming days".

A fee of around £7.3m has been agreed for the 23-year-old and a medical completed - the only hold up is receiving international clearance for the Egyptian, although the issue is expected to be resolved.

But it seems the Gunners might not be finished there according to Arsene Wenger.

"I don’t give much away because I don’t know [what’s happening with transfers]," said Wenger last week.

"I want to talk about them and hopefully we are capable of doing something in the next 10 days."

He continued: "It’s more about quality than quantity because our players will not stay out injured forever. Francis Coquelin is starting to run, Santi Cazorla will be back in mid-February, and Mikel Arteta is back now so, hopefully, if we can add one and, if needed, two maximum."