Elneny in ‘advanced talks’ with AC Milan

Mohamed Elneny’s father has claimed his son is in advanced talks with AC Milan.

The Egypt international is currently on loan to Besiktas from Arsenal, but could make a move to Serie A in the coming weeks.

The midfielder has been a regular for the Turkish outfit since joining on a season-long loan in the summer. There is an option to buy included in the deal, but according to his father, Elneny may be leaving the club sooner than expected.

“Negotiations between Mohamed and Milan are in an advanced phase,” Nasser Elneny told TV channel Sada Al Balad.

“But the contract isn't signed yet. [Milan] renewed their interest in my son, and the next hours could see him sign with Milan.

“Mohamed is doing well at Besiktas, but he wants to move to Milan because the Italian league is strong.”

Milan have reportedly been interested in the 27-year-old since last summer, with sources across both Italy and Egypt claiming that the club’s representatives have approached the player regularly over the past couple of months.

Elneny made the switch to north London after a successful period in Switzerland with Basel, but has since fallen out of favour at Arsenal, despite making several appearances under Arsene Wenger.

The midfielder scored just twice in 89 appearances for the Gunners, and faded away from the first-team after the arrivals of fellow midfielders Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi last summer.

He now has just one assist and is yet to score for a Besiktas side that sit fifth in the league table. The club have also struggled in European competition, losing twice to Wolves on their way to finishing bottom of Europa League Group K.

Elneny was included in the Arsenal squad for their Europa League final loss to Chelsea last May, but may yet find a place in the side with the arrival of new manager Mikel Arteta.

Arteta takes charge of the north London outfit for the first time on Boxing Day as his side travel to Bournemouth. They are 11th in the table with five league wins all season, just eight points clear of the relegation zone.