Arsenal are tracking the progress of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka, ahead of the January transfer window opening. With reports from German outlet BILD suggesting a bid could be imminent from two English clubs.
The midfielder is a reasonably new name to be linked with the Gunners, but following a series of impressive performances, Xhaka is opening the eyes of some English clubs.
BILD links Arsenal and Liverpool with bids, but they suggest that Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently favourites.
According to Italian news outlet, Calciomercato, Arsene Wenger is not holding back on this one after telling his scouting team to chase up a signature early.
Suggestions that a bid was made back in the summer have cropped up from time to time, after supposedly having the approach turned down by the Bundesliga side.
However, following a shaky start by his side this season, Xhaka could well be weighing up his options during the festive period, with Arsenal still sat at joint top of the Premier League.
At 23 years of age, the Swiss international still has a lot to work to do, but is currently turning heads as an important piece in the Monchengladbach’s formation this season.
Traditionally playing as a defensive midfielder, the youngster would ideally be a replacement to come in for the anticipated departure of captain Mikel Arteta.
But what separates him from Francis Coquelin is something incredibly rare in this Arsenal side, and that is the fact Xhaka plays with his left foot.
Now although that doesn’t sound like a huge deal, it could well prove to be an important factor in terms of breaking into and defending counter attacks.
Despite everything sounding reasonably in the Gunners favour so far, the services of Xhaka will come at a cost, with the midfielder in a contract that runs until 2019.
Therefore, Wenger may be forced to spend a little bit extra in order to get his man, something he is never too fond of doing.
However, this is a player that has his best years ahead of him still, is young, energetic and has remained in a steady run of form for the 2015/16 campaign and throughout the Champions League.
We can expect to pay some sort of figure between £14m and £20m for the youngster, but does he lack some of the necessary experience to make it in this country?
The Gunners face stiff competition from the likes of Inter Milan, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, but funding should not be a problem to compete with these two, it will come down to the players decision.
Let us know what you think about whether Xhaka would fit in by commenting below.
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