It seems as if Arsene Wenger isn’t holding back on fighting for a successful end to his Arsenal career, and has officially entered the transfer market with a £33.8m offer.
The Gunners boss is ready to get his cheque book out early for a change, and is close to sealing the club’s first signing in the shape of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka.
Now, of course this is no secret to Arsenal fans with the centre defensive midfielder popping up in transfer gossip stories throughout the 2015/16 campaign.
But now it finally seems like Wenger has got his man, who will slot straight in to the squad to fill the boots of the vacating Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.
Despite the details of the signing looking all but confirmed, his current German club are reluctant to confirm anything without finding a replacement for their star man.
However, it won’t be long until the 23-year-old gets the new colours of red and white on his back, with an official announcement expected to be made over the next couple of weeks.
Xhaka has been sitting at the top of Wenger’s wish-list for a while now, following his standout performances to take Monchengladbach to success in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Arsenal fans could be forgiven for expecting the Swiss international to link up at the Emirates Stadium back in January, but Wenger instead wrapped up the signing of Mohamed Elneny.
Now it looks as if the Egyptian will get the chance to link up with his former FC Basel teammate, creating a strong defensive partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
In order for that to happen Wenger has had to sacrifice a chunk of his wallet to tempt the Bundesliga side in to letting go of Xhaka, who will have a £19.7m release clause in his contract.
That clause however doesn’t come into effect until next season and Wenger is prepared to do what it takes in order to get his man whilst he can to savour what looks to be his last season in charge.
Once the deal is over the line for Xhaka’s services it will stamp a real statement of intent on some of Arsenal’s title rivals, who are all looking to build on what has been a disappointing season.
It will also prove to some of the doubting fans that Wenger is changing his transfer philosophy, buying early and setting up a squad that are capable of playing together during pre-season.
Any deal to get Xhaka in an Arsenal jersey will come at a cost, and whilst Monchengladbach have the power they will demand a hefty price tag of at least £35m for their man.
Financially that shouldn’t be a problem for the North London club, but with a transfer fee like that comes serious pressure to perform so let’s hope Xhaka can carry through his form.
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