Granit Xhaka looks increasingly likely to leave Arsenal this summer with a move to AS Roma on the cards.
The Switzerland midfielder has been with the Gunners since signing from Borussia Monchengladbach for £35million in 2016 and has been an ever present figure under the three managers he’s played under at the Emirates stadium – Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.
But with Arsenal planning to overhaul their squad as they enter another new era following a dismal 2020/21 campaign, it seems as though the club are willing to cash in on the midfielder.
Selling him could even help to aid a £40m windfall with Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira also rumoured to be on their way out of north London.
The Swiss international has agreed personal terms with the Italian club over a proposed summer transfer, football.london understands, but the two sides are yet to reach an agreement over a fee.
However, according to Italian outlet Il Romanista, Roma can solve their financial dispute with the Gunners by offering a player in exchange.
With Xhaka set to leave the club, Arsenal’s central midfield options will consist of Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Joe Willock, which is hardly enough squad depth to push for a higher finish.
Arteta could therefore be interested in a swap deal for Guinean midfielder, Amadou Diawara, whom they have been linked with in the past. At just 23 years of age, the defensive midfielder is five years younger than Xhaka and could be seen as a viable replacement should a deal be agreed between the two.
There’s no telling whether this deal will happen, but if a fee cannot be agreed in the near future, it’s certainly an option worth exploring for both clubs.
