Arsenal Transfer News: Granit Xhaka Deal Reportedly Imminent, Latest Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly hoping to confirm the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach star Granit Xhaka prior to the start of the 2016 European Championship this summer, but the German side want €2 million more than the Gunners' valuation of the midfielder.

The club confirmed they received an offer for Xhaka, but said no agreement has been made, per ESPN.

According to the Mirror's John Cross, the Gunners want to sign him for £33.8 million and "are understood to have agreed a deal in principle and hope to announce it well before the Euros." 

However, according to Dirk Krumpelmann of German outlet Bild (h/t Sport Witness), "Arsenal are said to have €43 million ready, and Gladbach are looking for €45 million."

Per Cross, Xhaka is similarly determined to have his future secured prior to the showpiece in France:

"

The season’s over now and there might be discussions tomorrow regarding the matter, we will make it together. The decision will definitely be before the European Championship.

I’m the wrong person to be asked [about a possible move], you might need to check that with [sporting director] Max Eberl.

"

Arsenal have long needed a player who can make their side more resilient—a figure who can help them avoid their seemingly annual collapse and failure to sustain a title challenge.

According to Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney, the Switzerland international is just the man to do so:

The stats appear to back him up, with WhoScored.com revealing the bite in his game as well as the outstanding technique:

Further, according to Squawka, the 23-year-old won 54 tackles and 89 headed duels in the Bundesliga this season, as well as making 72 interceptions and averaging an 85 per cent passing accuracy.

Here are some of his highlights:

Football writer Raphael Honigstein believes Xhaka would be an even better capture for the Gunners than Leicester City's exceptional workhorse N'Golo Kante:

According to the Mirror's Darren Lewis, the Frenchman is also on Gunners manager Arsene Wenger's wish list, and while his passing may not be quite up to Xhaka's standards, his remarkable ball-winning skills and tireless running would similarly make an outstanding addition to the Gunners' squad.

It seems unlikely the club would quibble over €2 million if they're already willing to spend over €40 million in the first place, particularly as majority shareholder Stan Kroenke is willing to finance plenty of business this summer, according to Wenger.

Per Lewis, he said: "Kroenke is completely behind myself and the board investing as much money as we want."

However, what will not encourage Arsenal fans is Wenger's reiteration of last summer's excuse for failing to buy a single outfield player: "It has to be in respect of a balanced budget, we have resources but the problem is finding players. Everybody has money in England, and they’re all after good players."

The players are certainly out there, so Wenger and the club should make every effort to tie up Xhaka as quickly as possible before addressing other areas—a striker at the very least.