It’s reaching the stage where Granit Xhaka could not be more obvious in his desire to move to England if he tried.
It does look for all the world that if the 23-year-old Swiss international does leave Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach this summer, then the Premier League will be his next destination.
To which side in the Premier League is still something of a mystery – Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have all been linked – but German publication Bild are reporting that the Gunners have stolen a March on their rivals.
It had been alleged in recent weeks that Pep Guardiola wanted to make Xhaka his first signing at Manchester City when he takes over at the Etihad, but Arsenal are taking no chances in their bid to bolster their midfield.
Reports this morning suggested that Arsène Wenger has been told by the club’s board that he has to go on a big spending spree (and how any manager could cope with such ghastly conditions is unthinkable) and Xhaka would appear to be a primary target.
Th Bild report alleges that Wenger has already met with Xhaka’s father, Ragip, as he loos to charm the player into coming to the Emirates next season.
The details listed of the transfer fee are surprisingly specific too – €43m to Gladbach, €5m to the player and €2m to the player’s agent. He would also be in line to more than double his current €60,000 per week salary
The player himself will need no convincing if it transpires that Arsenal have in fact been in contact. He has dropped numerous hints about his wish to play in the Premier League – and as far as playing for Arsenal goes, he recently said jokingly that he has already asked Gunners midfielder if he can have his favoured shirt number 34 were he to arrive at the Emirates this summer.
As always take this with a pinch of salt, as the links with Liverpool and Manchester City are also likely to continue well into the summer. In any event, don’t expect any sort of official movement on this deal until Xhaka’s participation at Euro 2016 with Switzerland is concluded.
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