Granit Xhaka’s Thoughts on Inter Move Revealed

Arsenal have been offered Christian Eriksen on a swap deal with Granit Xhaka.

Well, that’s what the story was. Just how reliable that is is another matter. Arsenal are set to be active in the coming windows to follow through on their summer spending, with rumours aplenty swirling around ahead of January.

Christian Eriksen‘s move to Italy has been far from ideal, expressing his disappointment at the state of affairs in Milan where he’s failed to nail down a starting berth under Antonio Conte.

The former Tottenham midfielder has played just 301 minutes of football this season, while Granit Xhaka has found his place in the Arsenal team under threat with the addition of Thomas Partey. How long-term his absence in the Premier League team will be can’t yet be determined, but he’s not featured in either of the two most recent top-flight outings.

Putting two and two together, talk of a swap deal with the pair has come to light, although the emergence of the rumours appears more opportunistic than substantial.

Calciomercato has since joined fellow Italian outlets in adding developments to the story, this time indicating that a swap deal is not of any interest to the Swiss.

Beyond the salary he’d receive, there are no outright  reasons for this decision. It can be hypothesised, however, that leaving a side where he’s currently second fiddle for another side where he’s not assured of starting makes little sense.

Marcelo Brozovic is Conte’s midfield enforcer, a position he’s highly unlikely to relinquish for Xhaka having been an integral cog in Inter’s side for the best part of five seasons. Further working against the deal coming to fruition is Conte’s adoration for Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, a player whom is the primary target for Inter in the coming windows.

The story had no legs to begin with. Speculation that satisfies two clubs simultaneously with a duo of well known names is sure to gain traction. Regardless of whether it would have been wise for either side, it was never going to take off.

Xhaka’s stance on the matter doesn’t confirm any desire to remain at Arsenal or otherwise, seemingly only cementing his wish to be a regular starter wherever he plays. He’s not getting that at Arsenal at this very minute, although the absences of Mohamed Elneny and Partey offer him a chance to stake his claim.