Arsenal Transfer News: Daniel Sturridge Rumours Emerge, Latest on Granit Xhaka

Arsenal were reportedly keen on signing Daniel Sturridge in January 2013 before the striker opted to join Liverpool instead.

Neil Ashton and Sami Mokbel wrote in the Daily Mail that the Gunners wanted to acquire the forward from Chelsea, “but the financial implications meant they decided against pursuing a move.” Eventually, Sturridge agreed terms with the Reds over a £12 million transfer. 

The piece also notes Arsenal are considering a move for the forward again this summer, with the player said to be frustrated at the lack of support from Liverpool during what has been a spell of perennial fitness woes, per the previous report.

Bleacher Report UK recently put the injury issues of Sturridge into striking context last month, with the forward failing to put together a sustained run of matches:

Since his move, the forward’s spell at Anfield has been mixed. Indeed, in his first full season at the club, Sturridge, in tandem with Luis Suarez in the attacking third, was magnificent, as his goals were a key factor in the Reds nearly finishing the season as surprise champions; he netted 21 goals in 29 Premier League appearances in 2013-14.

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Since then, he’s not been anywhere near his best. When on the field, Sturridge has been a danger and has regularly found the back of the net, but as is evident from the aforementioned statistics, that’s been far too infrequent. 

101 Great Goals provided a breakdown of the problems suffered by the forward during his Liverpool career and how much time he’s had out on the sidelines as a result:

If Arsenal have preserved a longstanding interest in the player, then they may be tempted to move for him should he be available this summer. Nobody is disputing Sturridge’s immense talent, after all, so perhaps a fresh start in a new environment may be what he needs to thrive and get fully fit once again.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp stated on Friday there was little truth in the reports that the striker wants out, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo. But if he can’t prove his fitness between now and the end of the season, it might be time for the Merseyside club to start pursuing potential replacements.

Granit Xhaka Wants Premier League Move

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Reported Arsenal target Granit Xhaka has claimed that his ultimate ambition is to play in the Premier League, not to make money.

“England is my dream, I do not hide it,” he told Blick (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror). “Whether I’ll be happy there, only the good Lord knows. For me money is not important. Otherwise I would not move from Basel to Monchengladbach in 2012. It’s about being a big challenge for me as a footballer.”

As noted by Flanagan, the Gunners have been linked with the dynamic central midfielder previously. Here’s why there is so much hype when it comes to the 23-year-old:

Last month, Bleacher Report’s Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas outlined the virtues of having a player like Xhaka in the Gunners squad:

On paper, he certainly looks a brilliant foil for Francis Coquelin at the base of midfield. Xhaka is multifaceted and capable of surging forward with the ball to make an impression in advanced areas or sitting deeper to break up opposition attacks. He’s a throwback, box-to-box midfield option.

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When Borussia Monchengladbach do decide to cash in on the Swiss international, there will be a queue of clubs at their door looking to take the midfielder off their hands. Xhaka has so many qualities that Arsenal have lacked for so long in their engine room, and you’d like to think manager Arsene Wenger would be doing his utmost to lure the player to the Emirates Stadium.