Arsenal are stepping up interest in highly rated Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka. The 23-year-old is being monitored by Arsenal and there are developments in Germany suggesting a summer transfer.
%2C_Granit_Xhaka_(R)_-_Switzerland_vs._Argentina%2C_29th_February_2012.jpg/640px-Ezequiel_Garay_(L)%2C_Granit_Xhaka_(R)_-_Switzerland_vs._Argentina%2C_29th_February_2012.jpg) |
| Granit Xhaka (on the right) - Switzerland vs. Argentina, 29th February 2012 |
Arsenal scouts are monitoring Granit Xhaka and as we understand, officials from Borussia Monchengladbach and Arsenal met one another discussing the price, which is expected to be around £24 million which will rise further with add-ons. Our understanding at the moment is so many Arsenal midfielders continue to struggle with injury, they are finding it difficult to maintain a healthy squad throughout the season and Xhaka will be signed to fill that gap. The further development is that there is a demand for wages that could be just over £100,000 per week.
As a senior international for Switzerland, Xhaka has earned over 35 caps and was also included in their World Cup 2014 squad. The former Basel player was highly rated by former Basel manager, Thorsten Fink:
"Xherdan Shaqiri is the best talent in Switzerland, after Granit Xhaka." - Thorsten Fink
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld labelled him the 'young Schweinsteiger' as he was one of Switzerland's top stars at Under-17 level, and helped his team win the World Cup in 2009. In 2011, he was the youngest player in the team at the U21 European Championship, and along with Shaqiri led the side to the final.
At the moment Arsenal are showing keen interest in Xhaka and if they do manage to sign the Swiss international, he will bring stability to Arsenal's midfield, which has struggled due to fitness issues.
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