Arsenal close to £17m Granit Xhaka sale to Roma

Arsenal are edging closer to the sale of Granit Xhaka to Roma with a deal set to be wrapped up in time for the start of the 2020 European Championships, with an agreement near on a fee around €20m including bonuses.

The end is nigh, if you like. Five seasons, 220 appearances, 13 goals and two FA Cup triumphs later, Arsene Wenger’s £35m signing is leaving north London for the northern region of Rome where Stadio Olimpico resides.

Change is afoot and with all those affiliated with the club pining for a rebuild, the sale of such an influential figure both on and off the pitch is a pivotal step in setting that plan in motion. In order to reshape the outlook of the team, selling one of the players most vital to its current format constitutes big change.

Would Mikel Arteta have sold Xhaka if he had the choice? It’s clear that the player wants to move and in such a situation the best course of action is to grant that wish as early as possible. No point trying to convince them of staying only to shoot yourself in the foot further down the in the summer.

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Arsenal close to £17m Granit Xhaka sale to Roma as Mikel Arteta prepares first major sale of summer transfer window

Arsenal are unstable and frail with Xhaka. A mess. However, there are other ways of tidying up your house. In the Gunners’ case that will require money, which they won’t be getting much for from Xhaka.

Calcio Mercato are the latest to weigh in on the proposed fee, stating that Roma have tabled a €20m (£17.2m) offer including bonuses. This comes after Sky journalist Gianluca Di Marzio said an offer of €15m was rejected. The deal is very close.

Numerous outlets will quote their own fees so not all can be believed, but if Arsenal can accrue £20m+ for Xhaka then it constitutes as good business as the club can realistically make. That has to be the target. Less shouldn’t be accepted.

Whatever the case, he will be missed. The important step is ensuring just how much so. If Arsenal recruit well, change the outlook of the midfield and add someone who can cover ground quickly then the dynamic alters; Xhaka will be forgotten quickly.

If Arsenal look to upgrade, if you like, with another defensive midfielder who will offer similar qualities but with a bit more polish, then it has to be a big improvement. As it is, the £40m option being mentioned is bordering on double the price for what won’t be a dramatic improvement.

Having failed to convince targets already of their place in this Arsenal side this summer, central midfield shouldn’t be as difficult. Xhaka’s departure sets a clear pathway for a new arrival, whomever that may be.