AS Roma has maintained their interest in Granit Xhaka and several reports claim they will return to sign the midfielder in the summer.
Xhaka has been one of Arsenal’s most important performers, with Mikel Arteta now trusting him to partner Thomas Partey in the heart of the Gunners’ midfield.
The Swiss star was the subject of serious interest from Roma in the summer and the Italians reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with him.
However, they could not meet Arsenal’s asking price for his signature and he has remained at the club. He even signed a new deal with the Gunners, but Jose Mourinho remains keen to work with him.
This means Roma could return for his signature in the summer, but can they pay what Arsenal wants?
La Gazzetta claims the Gunners insist on receiving 18m euros to sell him, but Roma believes he is too old for that figure and they have no intention of paying that much for his signature.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Xhaka has been a great servant to this club, but he is not indispensable. Because he has been a regular, we will miss his influence if he leaves, but he is a part of the old players that achieved little for the team.
If we can sign a much better player to replace him in the next transfer window, we can offload the former Borussia Monchengladbach man.
Knock a couple of mill off if they take Maitland Niles on a free transfer.
I think anyone who thinks Granit can and should be replaced should at least name 3 to 4 replacement footballers who are available and affordable.
Theres, in no particular order, according rumors:
Tielemans
Ruiz
De Jong
Gallagher
Kessie
I’d have any of them over Xhaka, especially Gallagher. Chelsea are known for letting talent go.
The Guy has improved a lot and I still maintain we should keep him. The balance he gives in the middle is really good. I know we have to bring an upgrade on him but Xhaka would provide a capable cover
If they don’t want to pay up then keep Xhaka, we are not desperate to get rid of him anyway.
We are gonna need a much bigger squad next season with Europe and the cup games we might be in.
Keep him and add another midfielder, we trimmed down the squad and we have enough spaces to fill.
I agree with goonster. If Roma is willing to pay what Arsenal is asking for, than Xhaka could be sold. Or else, keep him as a capable back up after signing another midfielder. Once we are in Europe, we will need a bigger squad and Xhaka’s experience will count after we sign a young midfielder.
For those who wants Xhaka gone done know what they have till he is not in the team, i will vote to keep him as squad player and another experience head in the team to guide the younger generation that a blossoming around him.
Like most have stated here, European games are coming and we need a large squad to be able to manage all the games without risking burn outs to established stars.
Xhaka leaving is not my desire.
We are yet to know why all managers and his team mates love him.
Keep him for next season
its the same situation as last season. I am fine to keep Xhaka as long as these silly Italian clubs keep playing these games. They are not going to get our players for a cut-price deal.