9. Granit Xhaka (from Borussia Monchengladbach to Arsenal 2016/2017) – €45 million
Switzerland superstar and ex-Borussia Monchengladbach captain Granit Xhaka is only 23 years old, but he is already one of the league’s priciest acquisitions. The fact that the famously pennywise Arsene Wenger splashed such big bucks on him only lends more weight to the assertion that he is one of the Bundesliga’s finest exports in recent years.
Xhaka first came to international prominence with FC Basel, as he became an integral part of the side that relied on his and Xherdan Shaqiri’s mercurial talents to win a league and cup double. With 61 appearances in his two seasons there, he won back-to-back league titles and was named the Swiss Young Player of the Year.
Germany was his next port of call, with Borussia Monchengladbach purchasing him to beef up their midfield – which he surely did. Despite their campaign beginning awfully (culminating in Lucien Favre’s sacking), Xhaka was a brilliant gem in the side. In his 4 years in Germany, his immense passing range and powerful frame helped his club rise to 4th spot in the Bundesliga, as well as drawing comparisons with Bayern Munich’s World Cup winner Xabi Alonso.
A Sweden international since the age of 18, he has already carved out a spot for himself in the national team, earning 44 caps and scoring 6 goals. His no-nonsense defending from the midfield position has seen him get sent off 8 times already, but he made amends on his 5th with Gladbach by giving away €20,000 to charity.
The Swiss star was a part of their powerful Euro 2016 squad that lost to Poland; unfortunately, he missed a decisive spot-kick after extra time. With a splendid left foot and a vision that guided his club up the Bundesliga standings (he started every match for them in 2014/2015), he quickly showed just why ex-Basel coach Thorsten Fink labelled him as the “best talent in Switzerland”. Now he’s in the Premier League and Arsenal fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of having scooped one of the planet’s most dynamic central midfielders.
