Negotiations between Arsenal and Roma over the sale of Granit Xhaka have reached a stalemate and the Serie A side want the midfielder to pressure his current side to reach an agreement.
Xhaka, who currently has international service with Switzerland during Euro 2020, was considered to be moving to Jose Mourinho’s new side, but talks have slowed in recent days with an agreement on a transition fee that is difficult to capture.
Roma CEO Tiago Pinto is said to want the midfielder to “exert some pressure” on his current employers to lower their request for the 28-year-old.
Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claims that there is an appetite from all parties to complete the transfer, but neither club is willing to go on the figure despite Xhaka agreeing to personal terms with Giallorossi.
Xhaka, who is captain of Switzerland, has insisted that he is completely focused on Euro 2020 but hardly closes rumors about his expected departure when he was recently asked.
He said: ‘I have two more years in London. And at Arsenal, they know what they got in me. When the time is right and we can talk about a transfer.
“Honestly, I have not heard what Mourinho said. But it makes you proud.
“Everyone knows Mourinho and what he has achieved. Mourinho knows how to win titles. You can now see the work I have done in recent years.”
Arsenal are said to want £ 17 million for the midfielder, who has personally had a good season and is one of the most important players on Mikel Arteta’s side. He played 74% of the Gunners’ total minutes in the Premier League and even filled in left-back in the absence of Kieran Tierney.
Granit Xhaka is a divisive figure among Arsenal fans / Pool / Getty Images
Xhaka’s contract at the Emirates Stadium runs until 2023, but with the club hoping to raise money to help with Arteta’s rebuilding squad, he is one of a number of players who have been made available for transfer.
Signed in 2016 for over £ 40 million, you can understand why the Arsenal hierarchy is reluctant to lower its request. When you consider that they will need £ 30 million + if they are to land one of Yves Bissouma or Ruben Neves as his replacement, they have the right to stick to the guns.
