Arsenal confident of completing £25million deal to sign Granit Xhaka upgrade

Arsenal are growing increasingly confident of signing their No.1 target to potentially replace long-serving midfielder Granit Xhaka.

The Switzerland international has been a divisive character throughout the duration of his six years with the north London club, but was an increasingly influential figure last season.

Xhaka did, however, raise eyebrows with his comments following the defeat against Newcastle in the penultimate game of the campaign, which effectively cost the Gunners a place in the Champions League.

The 29-year-old ccused his teammates of bottling the game and lacking the maturity to deal with the pressure that accompanied a fixture of such significance.

Xhaka came close to leaving Arsenal last summer and was keen to link up with Jose Mourinho at Roma but with the Serie A club struggling to meet the Gunners’ valuation, the former Basel star remained and signed a new long-term contract.

The Europa Conference League winners remain interested in Xhaka but with Nemanja Matic due to arrive on a free transfer after his contract at Manchester United expired, that escape route is blocked off.

Regardless of whether Xhaka remains or not, signing at least one new central midfielder represents a priority for Arteta this summer.

Thomas Partey began to fulfil his potential last term but another injury robbed Arsenal of his presence during the run-in and doubts remain over his ability to play a full campaign.

Albert Sambi Lokonga, meanwhile, hardly featured at all during the latter stages of the season, while the long-term futures of Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles appear to lie elsewhere after both went on loan to Italian clubs.

According to CBS, Arsenal are growing increasingly confident of signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans in a £25million deal and expect to swiftly conclude that transfer once the 25-year-old completes his international commitments with Belgium.

Arsenal have been in talks with the former Monaco star since January and are in pole position to sign a player who has also been interesting the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool.

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