Arsenal expected to hand player new deal in move which could surprise fans
This would be a shock.
Arsenal are reportedly planning to trigger a 12-month extension in Mohamed Elneny's contract despite the arrival of Jorginho from Chelsea.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been determined to sign midfield reinforcements in January.
The Gunners were unable to sign his No 1 target, Moises Caicedo, with Brighton unwilling to sell the Ecuadorian despite being made an offer worth up to £70m.
Arsenal turned their attention to Chelsea midfielder Jorginho and have now completed a deal for the Italian on deadline day.
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The 31-year-old, who had just six months left on his Chelsea deal, is believed to have signed a contract with Arsenal until the summer of 2024, with the Gunners holding an option to extend his stay by a further year.
Arsenal 'planning to extend Elneny's deal'
It had been presumed by some supporters that the arrival of Jorginho could spell the end of Elneny's Arsenal career.
The Egypt international has struggled for first-team opportunities this season and has managed only 109 minutes in the Premier League.
He is out of contract at the end of the season but Press Association journalist Mark Mann-Bryans claims the club are planning to trigger a 12-month extension in his current deal to keep him at the Emirates.
"Expecting Arsenal to trigger Mohamed Elneny's option to extend his contract by a further 12 months," he tweeted.
"Conversations under way and injury has not had an impact on the decision, which could be announced in the next week or so."
The report comes even though Elneny currently sidelined through injury.
Arsenal have confirmed the Egyptian will be unavailable for an extended period of time after undergoing knee surgery.
"Following an injury sustained in a recent training session, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Mohamed Elneny has a significant injury to his right knee," read the statement.
"Mo has had successful surgery in London and will be ruled out for an extended period of time. A more detailed timescale will be established once the early stages of rehabilitation have been completed.
"Everyone at the club will be offering Mo all the support he needs and working hard with him so he can return to action as soon as possible."
Rory O'Callaghan