Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Granit Xhaka, Alvaro Morata, Isco Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks as though he may be a busy man in the summer transfer window, with reports linking the Gunners with Borussia Monchengladbach man Granit Xhaka, Juventus striker Alvaro Morata and Real Madrid playmaker Isco.  

Taking the former of that trio first, German outlet Bild (h/t Sport Witness) have stated the Swiss international’s father has held a meeting with the Arsenal boss with a potential transfer in mind: “The newspaper go on to say that Arsenal have €50 million ready to sign the player."

As Sport Witness noted here, Xhaka has previously made no secret of his desire to play in English football’s top flight. It also provided a look at how the story is presented by Bild:

On paper, he’d be a perfect fit for the Gunners, too. Here is a look at why there are plenty excited about the 23-year-old’s potential:

Xhaka seems as though he’d be a superb foil for Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park. The BMG man is very much box-to-box in his playing style, able to scupper opposition attacks, cut through the field with intensity and make contributions in the final third.

He’s not as defensively minded as the Frenchman, but like Coquelin, he’s industrious, powerful in possession and young. As a left-sided player, Xhaka also adds a desirable balance to the team’s general shape; commentator John Bradley is a big fan:

Another name linked with Arsenal is Morata. Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Mark Brus of Metro) suggested the Juventus man is being targeted by his former club Real Madrid, who are said to have a buyback clause of £23.4 million in his current contract. However, the Gunners are reported to be pondering a £39 million bid.

MARCO BERTORELLO/Getty Images

It’s a position on the pitch in which Arsenal have long needed an injection of quality, and Morata would definitely be an upgrade on their current striking candidates. As WhoScored.com noted here, after a difficult beginning to the season, he’s a player who is beginning to come alive again:

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Álvaro Morata: Has scored or assisted 9 goals in his last 13 apps for Juve after registering just 1 assist in his previous 20 #TorinoJuve

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 20, 2016"

With Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott on the books, Arsenal do have different kinds of threats to try and tap into up front. But none of those players marry a variety of attributes quite like the Spain international, who doesn’t excel in any area in particular, yet he possesses a rounded game and a nose for goals.

What he would also have at the Emirates Stadium is a plethora of classy midfield players providing him with clever passes. It seems as though Wenger may be looking to add to his ranks in this position, with Real Madrid said to have offered Isco to the Gunners for just £25 million, per the Independent (h/t the Daily Telegraph).

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

But according to Tuttosport (h/t Jamie Styles of the Daily Star), it’s Juventus that are leading the pursuit of the creative midfielder ahead of the Gunners, Manchester City and Chelsea. It’s stated the Bianconceri will offer £39 million for the Spain international.

As these clips illustrate, in terms of natural ability and technical flair, there are few players around who can compete with the former Malaga man:

However, there have been lingering concerns about the attitude of Isco, who has been in and out of the Real team this season. Spanish football expert Rafael Hernandez feels he could do with toughening up:

Of the trio, Xhaka would be the signing who would most enhance Arsenal. He brings so many qualities to a team that are currently in short supply at the Emirates Stadium, and he possesses all of the traits needed to be a big success in English football. The fee of €50 million is a lot of money, but Wenger would be landing a terrific footballer.

Morata and Isco would be bonuses. The former would address a longstanding need, although it seems unlikely that he’d end up at the Emirates given the success of his current club and the ties Real still have with him. If Isco does end up on the move this summer, he’d be a coup for a lot of sides, but Arsenal are blessed with a lot of cerebral attacking midfielders already.