Granit Xhaka is reported to have flown into England to complete a medical with Arsenal ahead of his proposed move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Swiss international midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to North-London, with the Gunners believed to have scouts keeping an eye on him for much of the year.
Xhaka gave a huge hint that he was set to depart from his club, by hugging a number of the coaching staff after their final match of the season, before telling the press that he hopes any prospective move would be wrapped up quickly.
His request appears to have been granted, with reports of a deal expected to be completed in good time, before he jets off to France for the European Championships.
Xhaka is supposedly in London to complete a medical , ahead of completing a reported £25 Million initial deal, which could rise to £35 Million if he triggers various achievements with the Gunners.
The 23 year-old was the captain of his previous side, highlighting his importance to the side, and could well bring some much needed leadership to Arsenal.
Our captain Mikel Arteta has retired from playing football this summer, and is believed to have decided to join Pep Guardiola as a coach at Manchester City for the new campaign. Our last captain Thomas Vermaelen also left in recent years, and Xhaka could play a big role for our side, although I have no doubt that he will not take the armband for the new season.
N’Golo Kante and Moussa Sissoko are also believed to be of interest to Arsenal, and could form a new partnership at the base of the midfield next year, although Mohamed Elneny is unlikely to give up his starting role without a fight.
Will Xhaka and Elneny be our new first-choice midfielders? Who could challenge them for a starting role?
Xhaka
Striker
CB
Wenger said He’ll get ‘3’ players.
If He decides to get another player’, then a Winger will do the trick.
Asking out of pure ignorance/misunderstanding – when did Wenger say he’ll get three players? I absolutely agree with what you say though :p
If we sign only 3 then these are the best choices:
Def: Kostas Manolas
Mid: Granit Xhaka
Fwd: Romelu Lukaku
Yes because Lukaku is so much better than Higuain.
Yes because Manolas is so much better than Godin.
Yes because, well actually I don’t know enough of anything about Xhaka, except that his name sounds like a cool hybrid of Xavi and Kaka.
Lukau and Manolas aren’t even the best third choice players. They may be good though. But remember how much Benteke was wanted, and he hit a thirty goal season playing for an even worse side than eve. How come these fans don’t want him now that he’s cheap. Remember A Carrol too, some thought he’d be the beast we need. Bony at city, I was one of the many who thought this guy a great option. Ba, was plit fifty fifty, along with che french reserve striker. At big clubs the football style changes in difficulty and class, some players just don’t fit. Managers know more about these things than us fans do.
1) Yes, because Xhaka deal is done (confirmed by BBC).
2) Yes, because AM will never sell Godin, and Manolas is one of the best that are ‘available’ for purchase
3) Yes, because Lukaku is PL proven and younger to Higuain.
Xhaka is “supposedly” in London….
SupposedLy!!!
Where can one find actual pics of him?…. Photoshoppers beware L()L
If you get a snap of him you can make yourself a tidy profit. I want a finders fee though, or Ill get my lawyers on to ya. My lawyers name is Gazidas, so don’t try and penny pinch, it will not work for you.
David Ornstein of BBC Sport reported that Arsenal and Xhaka are close, adding “agreement reached on £30m deal, in London to finalise terms, medical this weekend.”
S K Y sports reported £35.
Who shall we believe?
Not trying to be a spoil sport…but same was said about Nuri Sahin, and Gonzalo Higuain. Remember anyone?
Yes, I think Xhaka and Elneny would be the patnership next season, I mean if you consider Xhaka’s price,he will likely walk into the 1st eleven…
Who could challenge them???
Obviously COQZORLA will challenge them…
Now,it seems Ramsey will never get chances to play in that CM position which is good for us..
If Xhaka stays fit and the only question remains who partner him..one of Elneny and Cazorla will do while Coq can come in for Xhaka too…tough competition with Wilshere in there too!
I think Xhaka-Cazorla will be the big pair next season. And in extra tough matches where we need to be defensively inpenetrable, Xhaka-Coquelin probably will feature.
I’ve not seen him play, but from what I’ve heard, he’s a quality player. We definitely need another central midfielder given the likes of Arteta, Rosicky, and Flamini leaving, Ramsey not good enough, and Wilshere rarely available, but yet I’m very concerned with the size of the transfer fee.
It looks like the deal will be for somewhere in the region of £30 million, which is a huge transfer fee for Arsenal (third highest I think). What worries me, is that Wenger has never made two huge transfers in the same window – we badly need a top striker, and they don’t come cheap.
Obviously Wenger cannot be judged yet on this window, but we all know that he always ignores what the team needs. A top striker HAS to be the number one priority by a country mile. It’s great that we’re moving early for a top player, but we shouldn’t forget that we signed Cech early – and we all know what happened after that!
My comment disappearing after I post!
Great news for the team & the fans of Arsenal around the globe just hope its true
I’ve not seen him play, but from what I’ve heard, he’s a quality player. We definitely need another central midfielder given the likes of Arteta, Rosicky, and Flamini leaving, Ramsey not good enough, and Wilshere rarely available, but yet I’m very concerned with the size of the transfer fee.
It looks like the deal will be for somewhere in the region of £30 million, which is a huge transfer fee for Arsenal (third highest I think). What worries me, is that Wenger has never made two huge transfers in the same window – we badly need a top striker, and they don’t come cheap.
Obviously Wenger cannot be judged yet on this window, but we’re all well aware that he always ignores what the team needs. A top striker HAS to be the number one priority by a country mile. It’s great that we’re moving early for a top player, but we shouldn’t forget that we signed Cech early – and we all know what happened after that!
Ramsey to be sold?
would be great news if true!
@ThirdmanJW, He is a very good player. I watch Bundesliga as well so I have seen him play.
He reminds mi of Alonso but He is a physical-Alonso if you like. He is a good passer of the ball’ long range passes too. He is strong and love to throw tackles. He got 3red cards in the just concluded season but We need such player. We have so many ‘nice’ players if you like.
He sounds like what we need then. I agree, we need a lot more physicality in our team, and generally, just bigger players. I remember Vieira getting lots of red cards, but he was immense! I look forward to seeing Xhaka
A big Welcome to Xhaka. A final goodbye to jittery defensive midfield!
Xhaka is the last factor that will complete the initial rising factors of Francis and Elneny.
Xhaka imminent move to Arsenal is on Sky sports and bbcnews…..That’s some reliable source.
Watching Sky Sports now and the leading story is Rodgers managing Celtic…
They just quote that the daily star thinks he is. Wouldn’t get your hopes up of us being first out the blocks if I were you..
Ah diddums…:)
I wld prefer a duo of Coq and Xhaka. we really need some physicality in the middle. Cazorla can move forward as he is better at creating goal scoring chances
great story , if true !!!!.he is the ideal arsenal player , he has what it takes . this would be a start for wenger to redeem himself in the transfer stakes . but he has a mighty long way to go yet , let us hope we have an exciting transfer window , for a change !.potentially , we are in for an amazing window , lets just hope the hierarchy at our club thinks this as well .
I miss Ozil on the wings 🙂
He’s not in London people calm down, do you actually think AW would make a signing this quick, you must be a AW in kind of guy 🙂
If Ornacle says he is London then he is in London. I dont need to see him to believe. I just hope the summer won`t end like our season; start well and end horribly. Lets get a top striker, a young sound quick defender like Varane to replace Per( I`m always filled with trepidation whenever i see him struggling back to make an interception ) and a creative attacking midfielder like Mkhytarian. Then we can ACTUALLY challenge for the UCL and EPL.
@Bubbles1
Which sources are you getting the info (He’s not in London). Reliable sources like BBC,SKY SPORTS and Guardian are giving us a very different info…u think they’re wrong?
Bring Mahrez to arsenal Wenger…and i’ll forget what happened this season.
We know what Wenger did… Last Summer! ???