Arsenal to offer Xhaka a new deal as Roma transfer looks unlikely
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Arsenal are preparing to offer Granit Xhaka a new contract as AS Roma have failed to make a suitable offer for the midfielder’s services.
Xhaka’s move to Roma has seemed inevitable for weeks, if not months, but due to the Serie A club’s reluctance to meet Arsenal’s asking price, the Swiss looks set to stay in north London says The Athletic.
The Gunners were reportedly asking for €20million from the Italian club which appears to have been too high of a fee.
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The 28-year-old has made 220 appearances for Arsenal since signing from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
He played a starring role for Switzerland as they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, knocking out France in the process.
His performances for the Swiss national team at the Euros should have been enough to convince Roma, however, that has clearly not been the case.
If Xhaka is to stay at the Emirates, it is less likely that Arsenal will delve into the transfer market for another defensive midfielder.
They have already brought in youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga and look poised to sign a more attacking-minded midfielder this summer.
Lyon’s Houssem Aouar has been linked for over a year now, with a deal looking increasingly unlikely.
It now seems to be a toss-up between Leicester City man James Maddison and Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid.
Odegaard spent the second half of last season on loan at the Gunners, enjoying a fairly decent spell as the team gradually improved in the Premier League.
He returned to his parent club at the end of the campaign and has been linked with a permanent move to Arsenal since.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that they have ‘always had clear position regarding’ Odegaard and has ‘always been considered the main target as number 10’.
The journalist adds that the London club ‘will be ready to make a proposal to sign’ Odegaard if Real give them any encouragement.
Arsenal’s reignited interest in the Norway captain has put a move for Maddison in doubt.
Leicester’s valuation of the Englishman could prove prohibitive for an Arsenal side dependent on player sales to raise transfer funds, putting the cheaper Odegaard back on the table.
And now with the news that Xhaka is likely to stay at the club, the Gunners might have to dissolve their interest in Maddison and make a move for the Real Madrid man.