Goal’s Arsenal reporter Charles Watts has been speaking on the latest edition of Arsenal Transfer Talk to discuss the futures of Gunners players ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Watts discussed the potential incomings and outgoings that could happen at the Emirates Stadium this summer. However, one rumour that refuses to go away is speculation surrounding midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss international has been at Arsenal since the summer of 2016, when he joined from Borussia Mönchengladbach. This season, the Arsenal featured in 31 out of 38 Premier League games for Mikel Arteta’s side, as they finished in eighth place.
With Arsenal potentially set for a summer clearout, the £19.8m-rated ace has been one of the names that have been linked with a move away.
Watts had this to say on Xhaka’s future:
“Price is certainly going to be an issue at the moment because Roma want to pay under £15m, or around the £15m mark, according to sources over in Italy. But I can’t imagine that is going to be enough to tempt Arsenal into doing business.
“Now, I don’t know what price tag Arsenal have set on Xhaka, if they even have set a price tag on Xhaka, but £15m, to me, does not sound enough for a player who’s Switzerland’s international captain, he’s in his prime.
“If you’re going to shake things up, if you’re going to turn things around at Arsenal, if you’re going to try and bring the club back up to competing towards the top, then you have to change your team, and you’ve got to say Granit Xhaka has been part of this team that has completely failed to achieve at times.”
TIF Thoughts on Xhaka’s future…
Xhaka has been a great servant to Arsenal over the last five seasons, however, there always seems to be something missing. Numerous fallouts with the fans, along with some poor performances along the way. As Arteta’s side failed to qualify for any European competition next season, opportunities could be hard to come by for the former skipper as Arteta looks to oversee a rebuild at the Emirates.
Judging by the comments of Watts, it seems Arsenal could be willing to let the Swiss international go if the right offer comes about – something which may be the best move for both parties given Xhaka’s recent history.