Elneny transfer to Arsenal delayed by work permit issue, says Wenger

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Work permit and visa issues have prevented Arsenal from completing the signing of Mohamed Elneny from FC Basel, manager Arsene Wenger revealed.

While Wenger wasn't willing to disclose the exact reasons for the delay, he said that a "positive" week should see Arsenal complete its first signing of the winter.

"We are positive that this week it can happen. The situation should be sorted out this week," Wenger told reporters before Arsenal's match against Liverpool.

"There are a lot of work permit problems and special paperwork to do, and visa, so we hope we can finalise it this week."

A deal for the Egyptian international has been in the works for weeks. Arsenal and Basel reportedly agreed to a deal before the January window opened, with the Premier League team expected to pay £7 million to acquire Elneny.

Wenger isn't ruling out the possibility of the deal falling apart, but remains confident that the 23-year-old will arrive at the Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks.

"As long as it's not definitely signed, you have to be cautious. But I am optimistic about the case," he said.