Arsenal Transfer News: Granit Xhaka Offer Confirmed, Latest Rumours

Borussia Monchengladbach confirmed on Tuesday they have received an offer for rumoured Arsenal target Granit Xhaka, a bid that has reportedly been rejected.

As reported by ESPN FC, the club’s official website noted a bid had been lodged, although they were clear there is no agreement in place for the Switzerland international as of yet. The offer was noted by the club’s sporting director Max Eberl, although he declined to name the pursuing outfit.

According to Hans Matthias of Football Insider, the proposal did come from the Gunners, and it has since been rejected by the Bundesliga club. However, the Rheinische Post (h/t Sport Witness) has stated it is now a "matter of time" before the transfer is finalised.

It’s exciting news for Arsenal fans, whose long wait for the club to sign a quality midfield enforcer seems to finally be nearing its end. Here is a glimpse at the kind of attributes Xhaka will add at the Emirates Stadium:

Xhaka is a player who has shone for Gladbach this term and is someone well worth looking out for in the UEFA European Championships in France this summer.

Arsenal have lacked plenty of traits in their engine room in recent years, the most notable being a presence who can provide the technical proficiency Arsene Wenger demands from all of his squad members, as well a sense for the defensive side of the game. Xhaka, still just 23 years old, is a footballer who fits the bill.

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While he’s a massively exciting prospect, there are still areas where he needs to refine his game. Discipline, in particular, is one, per WhoScored.com:

Even so, the fact that Xhaka is willing to take part in physical battles and throw himself into tackles should bode well for him settling into English football. Additionally, the great Arsenal teams of the previous decade always had a nasty streak to them; that’s something the Swiss will bring back to a team that has gotten a little soft at the Emirates.

Of course, he can play a bit, too, and this blend of attributes is most likely what’s driving Wenger into getting this deal done as quickly as possible. If all goes well, Xhaka is a player who could potentially rid the Gunners of their longstanding gentle reputation.

Wojciech Szczesny Asking Price Reportedly Too High

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According to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t James Gray of the Daily Express), Arsenal will need to lower their valuation of Wojciech Szczesny if they want to sell him to Roma on a permanent basis.

The Polish international has been on loan with the Serie A side this season, establishing himself as a regular in the starting XI. However, according to the aforementioned source, while the Gunners are said to be willing to cut ties with Szczesny, they think he’s worth £15 million and Roma don't.

With Petr Cech and David Ospina ahead of him in the pecking order at the Emirates, the 26-year-old’s days look numbered in north London. Here’s a look at some of his best moments since leaving on a temporary basis:

It’s only natural for Arsenal to drive a hard bargain when selling a player who still could have a bright future in the game. However, per Gray, the Giallorossi are said to be close to capturing Brazil international goalkeeper Allison, an acquisition that could leave Szczesny battling for a spot in the first team at Roma.

The goalkeeper will just be keen to play, and eventually, you suspect a deal will be completed to grant him that wish. It’ll be a shame for the Polish star, who has long been a popular figure at Arsenal, although the club could use any cash from his sale towards bolstering other areas of the squad.