Arsenal are hoping to complete the signing of midfielder Mohamed Elneny from Swiss champions Basel by the end of the week, with only work permit issues standing in the way of the switch, manager Arsene Wenger said on Monday.
With midfield trio Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin all on the sidelines, Elneny would be an welcome addition to squad, which was stretched thin during the festive period.
“It’s his visa and work permit that are holding it up but we are positive it can happen this week,” Wenger told reporters at a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Saivet agrees terms to join Newcastle
Bordeaux captain and Senegalese international midfielder Henri Saivet has agreed terms to join Premier League side Newcastle United, the French club’s coach Willy Sagnol said on Monday.
“The two clubs have come to an agreement. There’s just a few details to iron out and a medical,” said Sagnol, who also described the 25-year-old Saivet as Bordeaux’s best player this season.
“He’s been wanting away for a while. He needs a new challenge and there comes a time when you have to let a player go when he’s done a good job for you,” Sagnol said.
Newcastle manager Steve McClaren conceded Saivet had arrived on Tyneside, but he was cautious when asked if he expected the deal to be completed imminently.
“We are at a sensitive position where we are going through a medical, we are negotiating a contract, and I have seen these fall through and everybody has got egg on their face discussing this, that and the other and people are left upset,” he said.
“All I can say is yes, he is in the building, medical, contract, when it’s all done and signed, we’ll talk about the assets and what he’ll bring.”
Sunderland close to signing Senegalese Dame N’Doye
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce confirmed on Monday that Senegal striker Dame N’Doye is close to joining the struggling Premier League club.
N’Doye, 30, was at Sunderland’s headquarters with a view to signing from Turkish club Trabzonspor on loan until the end of the season.
He moved to Trabzonspor from English second-tier team Hull in August.
“Dame N’Doye is going through the process,” Allardyce said. “He’s in the building at the moment.
“We hope to pull off a deal until the end of the season with a view to a more permanent move.
“He’s experienced the Premier League before with Hull City last season and scored five goals in 12 matches.
“I hope he can emulate that for us or maybe do even better.”
Zaza will stay at Juventus, says Allegri
Juventus have no plans to sell forward Simone Zaza or defender Daniele Rugani, the Italian champions coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
“I’ve said it many times, Zaza and Rugani stay at Juventus,” Allegri said. “It’s not like if Zaza plays less, he has to leave. He’s doing well at the moment because he scored important goals... and has grown a lot.”
Juve bought the 24-year-old Zaza, who has played seven times for Italy, for 18 million euros from Sassuolo last year
He has been linked in media reports with English Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
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