According to reports, Arsenal have moved one step closer to signing Granit Xhaka from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 23-year-old midfielder has been linked with the Gunners since the January transfer window and has travelled to London to undergo a medical.
Xhaka is expected to have his medical done at London Colney before finalising personal terms. But an official announcement may not be made until the following week.
The major talking point has been the transfer fee with the Bundesliga club trying to hold out for £35m. However, Arsenal have managed to negotiate a base transfer fee of £25m which could rise to £30m or more based on the number of matches he plays and the trophies he wins with the club.
The north London club held the cards in the negotiation as Xhaka has a release clause of £23m which will be activated in 2017 if Mönchengladbach do not sell him by next summer.
Also read: 5 things Arsenal fans should know about Granit Xhaka
The Swiss international would be Arsenal’s first signing of the summer and one they desperately need after the departures of the experienced trio of Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini. All three players were released at the end of their contracts with Arteta even choosing to retire from the game before he takes up a coaching role.
Xhaka started his career with FC Basel in Switzerland before moving to Germany after Mönchengladbach paid a reported fee of €8.5m. He soon rose through the ranks and was even given the captain’s armband this season as the club qualified for the Champions League following their worst ever start in the league.
Xhaka has been linked to Arsenal for months
The midfielder had earlier told reporters that his future was not down to him and that he would stay at Borussia if no offer was made.
“What happens is not entirely down to me,” Xhaka had said. “I can only say that I am really happy here. Until today, no offer has been made.
“Should something come up, we'd possibly sit down & decide what happens. And if nothing comes up, everything fits here at Borussia.”
Even Monchengladbach's Director of Football, Max Eberl, had admitted that the club would fight to keep Xhaka but couldn’t stand in his way if a bigger club gave him better opportunities.
“We will fight for Granit,” Eberl said. “There are clubs who can offer an even bigger chance of playing CL and competing for titles and trophies.”
