Egypt international centre-back Ahmed Fathi is due to undertake a trial with Arsenal and is on route to the north Londoners this afternoon.
The 29-year-old plays for Cairo-based outfit Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League and has featured as a first team regular since 2007.
Having already played a little in the UK, Fathi spent six months on loan at Hull City during the 2012/2013 season when the Tigers were a Championship side, however was hardly seen with just one league start and six appearances over the latter half of the season.
The Egyptian has now been granted the opportunity to impress Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is desperately seeking his perfect back-four.
Wenger has already sealed the move of Newcastle defender Mathieu Debuchy this week and looks to further-reinforce the side defensively for the start of the Gunners’ 2014/2015 domestic and European campaigns.
Egypt are still yet co complete their football season and Fathi’s time in London will see him skip the semi final of the Egypt Cup competition, which is being held on Monday.
Al Ahly issued a statement to that effect, which they published on their Facebook page.
It said: “Ahmed Fathi is set to travel to England on Friday to undergo a trial period at Arsenal Football Club in preparation to sign him if he has a successful trial, and so Fathi will be unavailable to participate in Al Ahly’s game against Smouha in the semi-final of the Egypt Cup next Monday.”