Granit Xhaka has revealed that his prospective transfer to Arsenal could go through before Euro 2016.
The Sun reports that the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is one of Arsene Wenger’s top transfer targets this summer, and that a fee of £35m is expected to be agreed before the end of the week.
Switzerland international Xhaka has admitted that there is now advanced talks ongoing between all parties, and that his future will be decided before he departs for this summer’s tournament in France.
“The circle has closed,” he is quoted by The Sun as saying. “We are now in daily conversations [over a transfer] and there will definitely be a decision before the European Championships.
“Gladbach & Arsenal know that, but I am still a Gladbach player. It might change in the next weeks.
“There will definitely be a decision before the European Championship.”
Euro 2016 begins on June 10 when France play Romania. Xhaka’s Switzerland have been drawn alongside the hosts in Group A, and begin their campaign against Albania less than 24 hours later.
If the sum quoted is correct, Xhaka would become the second most expensive player in Arsenal history, behind £42.4m assist king Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in 2013 – fee confirmed by BBC Sport.
Signing the 23-year-old would be a signal of intent from Wenger as he aims to end Arsenal’s 12-year Premier League title drought, with holding midfield having been a problem area in recent years.
Xhaka, who has made 140 appearances for Gladbach, would bring extra aggression to the Gunners, and represents a step up on Wenger’s current options of Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny.
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