Arsenal fans hopes of wrapping up another January deal have been dealt a big blow after Borussia Monchengladbach’s sporting director had his say on the matter.
Over recent weeks, the Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Granit Xhaka, with the media reporting him as one of Arsene Wenger’s top transfer targets.
The midfielder has really found his way in the Bundesliga after racking up 95 appearances and scoring six goals in the process which inevitably led to his rise in the Switzerland national squad.
However, despite the direct links over the past few weeks, Monchengladbach’s sporting director has waved away any chance of the 23-year-old making an immediate switch.
There are no offers, there is no figure that I have seen in black and white and there is no contact with Arsenal.
I would like to say clearly once again at this point: Granit Xhaka wants to stay in Monchengladbach and we do not want to sell him.
He is a super player for us and will contest the second half of the season here. As for the figures I have seen floating around, they amuse me.
Xhaka is predominantly an all-round midfielder with the potential to be one of the greatest in his position. The price-tag mooted has been anything from £16million-£40million, so his valuation remains unclear.
The signing of Mohamed Elneny and returns of Mikel Arteta and Francis Coquelin gives Arsene Wenger more than enough options to partner Aaron Ramsey in holding midfield.
And with Elneny’s deal coming in at around £8million, it also makes sense in financial terms to help Arsenal later on in the year when reinforcements will be needed.
The Gunners are set to lose a trio of players in Arteta, Thomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini so there will definitely be activity at the Emirates ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
Attention will now turn to how the Gunners can rotate their squad successfully to deal with three competitions and maintain their stance at the top of the Premier League.
That position defence will start with the hosting of London rivals Chelsea, and you can read everything you need to know about both sides right here.
A summer deal could still be on the cards for Xhaka though, with his club failing to guarantee he would stay beyond this season, and with Arteta and Flamini set to leave for nothing, the Gunners may be looking to add another central player.
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