Arsenal have rejected an offer of 15 million euros (£ 12.9) for Granit Xhaka from Roma.
The long-time midfielder is generally expected to leave the Gunners this summer with the Italian capital as his most likely destination.
However, Rome’s first bid has been rejected, according to the BBC. Jose Mourinho, who will take over at the Stadio Olimpico after Euro 2020, is keen to make Xhaka his first signing.
The Swiss international has shared the opinion of Arsenal fans since arriving at the club in 2016 from Borussia Monchengladbach. He often appeared for criticism and he reacted angrily to taunts around the Emirates Stadium after he was replaced during a game against Crystal Palace in October 2019.
After that incident, he was stripped of his captaincy and tipped to leave with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, which came close to securing a move in January 2020. After the deal fell through, he managed to rebuild his reputation and cemented himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s key men under Arsenal subversive season 2020/2021.
Xhaka is currently with Switzerland for Euro 2020 / Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Despite this, as 90min reported last month, the Gunners are open to selling Xhaka to fund their summer transfer activity. He is currently still an Arsenal player with Roma’s offer not less than the club’s 21.5 million pounds. The Serie A side are reluctant to pay over £ 17 million, which means that a lot of negotiations are still needed before an agreement can be reached. However, personal terms have been agreed.
Xhaka is not the only player likely to leave Arsenal this summer. The Gunners need a rebuild after finishing in eighth place in the Premier League with Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Bernd Leno all linked to a move away from the club.
In terms of revenue, they were interested in Emiliano Buendia in Norwich City, but he chose instead to sign for Aston Villa.
