Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger closes in on Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach
The Swiss midfielder flew into London this morning to complete his move to Arsenal after a breakthrough in negotiations
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal are close to completing their first transfer of the summer, as Granit Xhaka flew in to London on Friday for a medical at London Colney and to agree personal moves on his move.
Arsene Wenger has made the Swiss international midfielder his immediate priority for this summer, and Arsenal have been locked in negotiations with Borussia Monchengladbach all week. The German club had wanted £30million for Xhaka, and while Arsenal's initial offer was just £20m, there was a breakthrough in negotiations overnight.
Arsenal had been especially keen to sign Xhaka before Euro 2016 but his transfer, barring any late complications, ought to be confirmed early next week.
23-year-old Xhaka has played for Borussia Monchengladbach for four sesaons, having joined them from his hometown club Basel in 2012. He has 40 caps for Switzerland as a full international, having turned down the chance to represent his parents' homeland Albania.
Granit's younger brother Taulant Xhaka, who still plays for Basel, will play for Albania at Euro 2016 next month.
Xhaka will bring presence and quality to an Arsenal midfield which struggled last season after Santi Cazorla was lost to a knee ligament injury in November. With the departures of Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky that area was in need of reinforcement, and Wenger will now focus on signing a new striker as he prepares his side for next season.
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