Granit Xhaka’s awaited departure from Arsenal could soon come to fruition with the midfielder reportedly close to joining AS Roma.
The Swiss midfielder has been linked to Giallorossi for some time, with various reports indicating that the Gunners were willing to sell.
It was also suggested that Xhaka himself was eyeing a move to the Stadio Olimpico to link up with former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho.
Now, a deal appears closer than ever with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that Arsenal have lowered their demands for the midfielder to £15m (€17.5m), a price which the Italian giants are open to paying, having had their opening bid of £13m (€15m) turned down by the Gunners.
Roma are now thought to be “very optimistic” for a deal being completed this summer.
Should that come to fruition, it would mark a dramatic loss for the Gunners on Xhaka.
Signed from German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, he joined Arsenal for a reported fee of £30m.
The 28-year-old has gone on to make 220 appearances for the North London club, scoring 13 goals and playing a part in the club winning two FA Cups.
However, he has also been embroiled in controversy in his time as an Arsenal player.
Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy back in 2019 after reacting badly towards Gunners fans having being substituted by Unai Emery against Crystal Palace.
He still has two years remaining on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, Arsenal could be set to secure his replacement relatively soon with Wolves’ Ruben Neves being eyed by Mikel Arteta.
