Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has seemingly been pictured putting pen to paper on a new deal with the North London club.
With Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka forming an effective midfield pairing this term, Elneny was often restricted to the substitutes' bench in the 2021-22 campaign.
However, Partey's season-ending thigh injury paved the way for Elneny to return to the first XI, and the Egypt international put in a string of solid performances.
Elneny played the full 90 minutes in each of Arsenal's last seven Premier League matches - winning five of them and claiming an assist for Xhaka's goal against Manchester United.
The 29-year-old is currently due to become a free agent next month, and he was initially expected to move on amid his lack of game time at the Emirates before entering talks over a new deal.
Now, Elneny could be set to stay put in the capital, as football.london reporter Kaya Kaynak spotted the midfielder with a pen in his hand in the media room after Sunday's 5-1 win over Everton.
Mohamed Elneny in the #AFC press room today after the game posing for pictures with the club photographer. Appears to be holding a pen with a piece of paper in front of him. pic.twitter.com/ri95JJIqit
— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) May 22, 2022
Elneny was pictured with Arsenal's club photographer and seemingly also had a piece of paper on the desk in front of him, signalling that he could indeed be extending his Gunners stay.
Following the social media revelations, journalist Sam Dean further claimed that the former Basel man had agreed to a new one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
Despite his role as a rotation/backup player under Mikel Arteta, Elneny previously claimed that he was keen to sign a new contract at the club he 'loves'.
"I always love a challenge and give 100 per cent all the time. I don't decide who plays but I keep going in training to show how good I am and to make him play me," Elneny told reporters.
"If I don't play I keep going until I get my chance. If Arsenal say 'we want you' I don't think about leaving. It's my family for six years. I love this club."
© Reuters
Arteta has also taken notice of Elneny's improvement since his return to the first XI and believes that the midfielder does not always get the credit he deserves.
"I say that for me he's one of the most important players in the squad. He's a phenomenal person and as well a great footballer that sometimes gets overlooked," Arteta told a press conference before April's win over Man United.
Elneny has amassed five goals and 10 assists in 147 outings for Arsenal since arriving in January 2016, winning the FA Cup and two Community Shields during his time in the English capital.
However, Elneny and Arsenal will be playing Europa League football next term after Tottenham Hotspur's 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City rendered their 5-1 victory over Everton inconsequential.
The Gunners will still be expected to bolster their midfield ranks further in the summer and have been strongly linked with Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, but a lack of Champions League football could impact their transfer strategy.
