Arsenal: Jose Mourinho eyes shock Granit Xhaka transfer

The summer transfer window is in full swing. If ever there were any doubts over the seriousness of what was to come for Arsenal, the amount of players already linked with exits proves it. The latest sees Jose Mourinho eye Granit Xhaka as his first signing after taking the Roma job.

Central midfield is set for the biggest overhaul of all. Everyone in that area excluding Thomas Partey is being linked with a departure.

Dani Ceballos has bid farewell to the club after two seasons on loan; Joe Willock could be made available for sale for anywhere up to £30m; Ainsley Maitland-Niles doesn’t feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans; Mohamed Elneny is in the final year of his deal; Matteo Guendouzi will leave; Lucas Torreira will depart; Granit Xhaka is interesting European sides.

Indeed, the Swiss midfielder – one of Arsenal’s best players since Christmas – is at a career crossroads. Convinced of staying in north London by Arteta in the 2019/20 winter window, the midfielder has since produced his best form in red and white and won over a swathe of beleaguered fans.

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1397885671491182594

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka in transfer talks with Jose Mourinho and Roma over summer window deal for £18m

Another one on a long list of players entering the final two years of their deals, Xhaka is turning 29 in September and has a decision to make over whether he feels a fresh challenge would suit this stage of his career. Despite his marmite standing among supporters there will always be interest in him, although few expected that to come from Jose Mourinho.

As per Gianluca Di Marzio and picked up by Fabrizio Romano, Roma have set their sights on their own summer of activity. In truth, he’d suit a Mourinho system very well.

Talks have already began with both parties as Arsenal seek to secure €25m for the Switzerland captain. Roma have given their full backing to Mourinho and are intent on securing his man, with discussions underway with the player to convince him of the project.

It’s added that they believe a deal of €20m plus bonuses should wrap up the transfer, although there is interest from Germany too which may suit Xhaka’s desires better.

What should Arsenal do?

Continued…

Arsenal Should Sell Granit Xhaka This Summer

In short, yes. Yes he should be sold.

What will have convinced Xhaka to stay back in late 2019? What could Arteta have said to prevent him departing? It’s speculation, but there is every likelihood that Xhaka succumbed to his manager’s wishes with the promise of a summer departure this season.

Xhaka has never fully won over the fans and will have never felt loved. It’s hard for anyone to grow affectionate with their surroundings if they feeling isn’t mutual. That isn’t the case internally where the Swiss is a cherished member of the squad, one of the leaders and is highly thought of by all the managers he’s worked under at Arsenal.

Losing Xhaka wouldn’t be easily fixed. As a leader, a profile and an injury-free machine he adds real value to the side. Throughout this season his importance has never been more noted than during his absences. Arsenal are an unstable mess without him: they lack foundation and stability, control and command.

But they can do better.

The ceiling at Arsenal is exemplified through Xhaka. He is the best they have to play in his position, and until they raise that bar they may never take the next step. Whatever step that may be won’t be a straightforward one, as replacing his overall package isn’t an overnight fix.

It is a stage of rebuilding, though. Total remodeling. And that requires restructuring around the invaluable young core Arteta possesses. Links to the likes of Yves Bissouma wouldn’t be as strong as they are if Xhaka were to stay. There is no chance in hell he’d suffice with a squad role.

A Xhaka and Thomas Partey midfield pivot has proven itself to be very good on occasion. That doesn’t mean the club should settle for ‘very good’. Everyone welcomes ‘excellent’.

Continued…

What Happens to the Arsenal Midfield?

Jumping the gun here, if Partey and Elneny stay with Bissouma brought in and Willock and Xhaka leaving, that means Arsenal will head into the Africa Cup of Nations tournament with Miguel Azeez as their only midfielder. Maybe Charlie Patino can be jumped up.

As fans it’s a personal point of view on what lies ahead. In many ways it’s frightening to envisage such wholesale changes, even those conducted by experienced operators and not the rookies Arsenal have in charge, yet equally this is exciting. Everyone will see it differently.

Change is afoot and with the original plan being to gut out the senior core who had failed to maintain consistency and regularly let their managers down, the ball shouldn’t stop rolling with Xhaka.

Without strong links to any midfielders other than Bissouma, it can be interesting to see what happens over the summer. It’s still early days and with talks ongoing for Xhaka to leave before the window even opens, that leaves plenty of room to maneuver across the summer transfer window.

It also means more money (£18m does seem like undercutting it, especially with Roma packing some financial heat) that can be injected directly into the squad.

Arsenal can do better than Xhaka. Whether they will is another matter. But nonetheless, if it’s going to be a fresh start then make it so. Truly transform this squad and make it one fans can unite behind.

Bid farewell to Xhaka.