Arsenal target Swiss international midfielder Granit Xhaka
Sunday 27 March 2016 08:33, UK
Arsenal are understood to be interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka, according to Sky in Germany.
The 23-year-old's father has reportedly met with Emirates manager Arsene Wenger, who is believed to be ready to pay a fee of around €43m for his services.
Xhaka is contracted to Monchengladbach until 2019 after joining them four years ago from Basel.
Although Wenger is under pressure and a number of fans have called for him to leave after two decades in charge, he is already planning for next season.
With the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta both well into their thirties and struggling with injuries this season, Xhaka could be seen as a long-term replacement.
He played the full 90 minutes in Switzerland's 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Friday and is expected to feature prominently for his country at Euro 2016 this summer.
Despite his age, Xhaka has already made more than 100 Bundesliga appearances for Monchengladbach and has helped them to fifth in the table.
Indiscipline has also been an issue for the Swiss cap, however, and he has been sent off three times this season, against Werder Bremen, Ingolstadt and Darmstadt.
Indeed, he has been dismissed six times in all for his club side over a 20-month period following three other red cards in the previous two campaigns.
