Report: Sampdoria want Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny on loan

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Sampdoria are eyeing a move for Mohamed Elneny, with Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb reporting that the Serie A side want to take the Arsenal midfielder on loan this summer.

Elneny is one of a number of players who appears to have left Mikel Arteta with a tough decision to make during this window.

Arsenal fans would have been forgiven for expecting the Egyptian to leave this summer. He spent last season out on loan, and the Gunners were excellent in the middle of the park following Arteta’s appointment.

However, Elneny has been involved in pre-season. And he produced an excellent performance in the Community Shield win that was lauded by the supporters.

Tuttomercatoweb suggests that he is still set to leave the Emirates this summer. And Sampdoria are one of the clubs keen on signing the 28-year-old.

The report adds that Claudio Ranieri’s men want Elneny on an initial loan. But they are not the only side reportedly keen on the midfielder.

TBR View: Arsenal should be open to Elneny offers, but loan may make little sense

Arteta seems to have transformed a handful of previously-underperforming Arsenal players. And it will be interesting to see if he can have a real impact on Elneny – should he stay.

But you could certainly empathise with the supporters who would back Elneny being sold. He previously showed that he was capable of some fantastic performances. But there seemed to be few occasions where fans suggested that he was missed while he was on loan.

Arsenal should therefore, be open to offers for Elneny. If the club need to sell players this summer, he could be a potential option, particularly if he is attracting attention.

However, loaning him out again would arguably be a move that makes little sense. Arteta’s transfer kitty will not be bolstered by a substantial fee.

Meanwhile, Spotrac shows that he earns £50,000-a-week at the Emirates. Moving those wages off the books temporarily may help, but it will not open the door for a marquee signing on its own.