Arsenal completing their first major signing of the summer transfer window early rather than leaving it to the final hours would be music to the fans’ ears, as one journalist claims that the Gunners could wrap up the deal for Granit Xhaka very soon.
Artan Muhaxhiri, an Albanian journalist with close ties to the Borussia Monchengladbach captain, wrote via Facebook on Thursday that the Swiss midfielder, long linked with an Emirates Stadium switch, is traveling to London to finalize his move to Arsenal.
Muhaxhiri wrote: “BREAKING NEWS: Just confirmed. Granit Xhaka is traveling to London to finalize an agreement with Arsenal FC! Congrats Granit #XhakaGooner”
The 23-year-old Bundesliga ace, due to set off for France to represent his national side in the upcoming Euro 2016, would be a welcomed addition to Arsene Wenger’s crew, as he would join a club that have waved farewell to three senior midfielders: Thomas Rosicky, Mathieu Flamini, and Mikel Arteta.
Xhaka’s physical presence in the middle of the park would complement the club’s playmakers – Ozil and Cazorla – and would challenge, if not displace Francis Coquelin and/or Mohamed Elneny in the starting XI.
Popular German tabloid Bild reported earlier this week that Arsenal and Monchengladbach reached a stalemate, as the London giants were €2m short of the club’s asking price, with the Gunners offering €43m but Die Fohlen asking for €45m.
