Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Granit Xhaka and Karim Benzema Rumours

Arsenal will make Borussia Monchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka their first summer signing, with both clubs expecting a transfer to go through in July. The Gunners are also said to be monitoring the situation of Real Madrid man Karim Benzema.

Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday reported the Gunners are making progress on a £20 million deal for Xhaka, although the Bundesliga club are said to be demanding a sum closer to £30 million. 

“Monchengladbach expect the player to move and a compromise will be found, though the transfer announcement may be delayed until July 1 when the German summer transfer window opens,” added Draper. “And all parties are now expecting the move to go through.”

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Xhaka has been identified by a lot of supporters as exactly the kind of midfield player Arsenal need in order to progress. Here is a look at why:

The fuss about Xhaka comes from the fact he’s a young footballer who has very few weaknesses in his game.

At Monchengladbach, the Switzerland international has shown so much quality. His tackling is forceful, and he has an ability to sniff out danger. Additionally, with the ball at his feet, Xhaka has shown he can pick telling passes and commit opposition defenders in the middle of the park, happy to take part in one-on-one battles.

DW Sports’ Alex Chaffer thinks he’s been part of arguably the best midfield pairing in the Bundesliga this season:

In addition to all these qualities, Xhaka is a massive presence in the middle of the park, something Arsenal have been short of for a long time.

The 23-year-old is tall, strong and dominates most central midfield opponents in the air, too. His appetite for the physical battle can stray towards recklessness on occasion, but it also points towards a player who would have no issues settling into the robust landscape of top-flight English football.

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The same could be said for Benzema, who Draper suggests could still be on Arsenal’s radar despite his excellent performances for Real this term.

“Last season they attempted to sign [Benzema] and if [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang or Robert Lewandowski join Real Madrid in the summer, Arsenal would make fresh enquiries,” it’s said in the report. Draper suggested the Gunners have dropped out of the hunt for Borussia Dortmund's Aubameyang, who could cost £70 million.

As Draper noted, there were a flurry of reports linking Arsenal with a move for Benzema last summer, although a deal never materialised. Here’s why he’d be a tremendous capture for the Gunners:

Manager Arsene Wenger has some capable forwards at his disposal in Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott. But all fall short in particular areas, and that’s been a hindrance to the Gunners in search of a title triumph.

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Benzema would be an immediate antidote to the issue. The dynamic play from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on the flanks often overshadows the work done by the Frenchman, but he’s been in exceptional form this season. Not only has he provided a fine foil for the talents of the illustrious duo, Benzema has found the back of the net regularly.

As these numbers from Squawka Football show, the 2015-16 season has been the best of his career in terms of goalscoring:

Xhaka and Benzema may be costly acquisitions for the Gunners, but with both players in the starting XI, Wenger’s side would have a much greater chance of going on to challenge for major honours. The former, in particular, seems to be on the cards and would make a significant difference to this Arsenal side.

Benzema will prove to be difficult to prise away from the Spanish capital, as he continues to thrive at the point of the attack. It makes it very unlikely he’ll be donning Arsenal colours next season unless, as Draper hinted, Los Blancos bring in another premier centre-forward from elsewhere on the continent.