Roma are expected to improve their offer for Granit Xhaka in the coming hours with the Arsenal midfielder set to leave the Gunners for a fee in excess of £17m, football.london understands.
Xhaka was persuaded to stay at Arsenal by manager Mikel Arteta in January 2020, with a move to Hertha Berlin in advanced stages after the 28-year-old agreed terms with the Bundesliga side.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach captain, who is also admired by his former club, is happy in London and recently became a father for the second time, but is understood to be attracted by the prospect of playing under new Roma boss Jose Mourinho, whom he has huge respect for.
Since arriving from Gladbach in 2016, Xhaka has made over 200 appearances for the Gunners and established himself as a regular under former coaches Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery as well as current boss Arteta.
Mourinho publicly praised Xhaka two years ago and is a keen admirer of the experienced midfielder, and he has also attempted to sign the Basel-born star on a number of occasions.
"Xhaka is the main man in the entire Arsenal midfield, you can't see it unless I lend you one of my eyes," he said.
"Without him, Arsenal is lost. He is a leader. Remember, mistakes are made by humans."
Meanwhile, Newcastle remain confident of signing Joe Willock on a season long loan deal.
Willock wants to play regular first team football next season and Steve Bruce is keen on signing the midfielder on another loan spell, after his successful six month stay on Tyneside last season.
Reiss Nelson is also available for loan and has yet to sign a new contract offered to him by the Gunners.
There is interest from sides in the Premier League, while Greek giants Olympiacos remain keen on signing the winger.
Nelson, 21, turned down the chance to go out on loan last season in a bid to fight for his place in the Arsenal team, but struggled to get past Nicolas Pepe in the starting XI.
