Arsenal Transfer News: Granit Xhaka Bid Registered, Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly made an offer of "around £24 million" for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka. 

Per Adrian Kajumba in the Mirror, the Gunners have watched the 23-year-old Switzerland international "more than 30 times this season" and have now made their attempt to sign him, but Gladbach want £32 million for their young star.

Despite the price discrepancy, Arsenal are reportedly "confident" of making Xhaka their first major summer signing, per James Olley in the Evening Standard.

The report added that with Mathieu Flamini, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta all set to depart Arsenal in the summer, Xhaka is seen as a way to bolster the centre of midfield. 

Manager Arsene Wenger needs to make some signings in the summer as Arsenal look set to fall short in the Premier League title race again, with Bleacher Report's Dean Jones predicting a third-place finish for the Gunners:

Xhaka could well be the man to add some necessary steel to the Arsenal squad, as he has shown this season what a fierce competitor he is.

He is an effective ball-winner and can pick out long-range passes with consummate ease. Xhaka also has a powerful long-range shot and can be a threat from set pieces.

Despite his relative youth, he is already an experienced footballer, having represented his country 40 times and played over 200 club games between FC Basel and Gladbach, per Kajumba.

As noted by the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, with the older players set to be cleared out, he would join a strong and youthful core of central midfielders at the Emirates Stadium:

The Gunners are clearly serious about signing Xhaka, as only Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have cost them more than the reported £24 million bid.

Arsenal will likely be loath to up their bid to meet Gladbach's £32 million valuation, reported by Kajumba, but Xhaka could well be worth the money given the quality he has already shown and his immense potential for improvement.

Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Boca Juniors holding midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who is also being tracked by Real Madrid and Juventus.

According to ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke, Gunners scouts watched the 18-year-old—who is "tipped to become one of the best midfielders in the world"—as Boca beat Boilvar 3-1 on Thursday.

The report added that Boca are "reluctant" to lose Bentancur but would surely be persuaded were Arsenal to present a significant offer. Following Carlos Tevez's move to Boca from Juve last summer, the Bianconeri reported they have a €9.4 million option on the midfielder until April 2017 (h/t Danny Penza of SB Nation).

Wenger has a history of effectively developing youngsters, and given Bentancur is huge talent, it would be no surprise if the Frenchman were eager to see him join Arsenal.