Granit Xhaka

marv3llous

Arsenal want Xhaka, meet dad: €43m fee, €5m for player, €2.3m agent, €8m wages. [Bild]

Here we goooo!

Gazza M

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[font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]German newspaper Bild believe they have information regarding an Arsenal move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka.[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]The Swiss international has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League, repeating several times over the past few months that he sees a move to England as his dream.[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]Bild say, according to their own information, that Arsene Wenger recently had a meeting with Xhaka's father Ragip, agent Andy Gross, and another man said to be working on behalf of the English club.[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]The newspaper go on to say that Arsenal have €50m ready to sign the player. [/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]Bild break that down into: €43m transfer fee, €5m signing on fee for Xhaka himself, and a further €2.3m payable to the midfielder's agent.[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]A wage of €8m is also claimed by Bild. [/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]It just sounds so un-Arsenal.[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]In January, Xhaka gave a long interview to Tor Fabrik in Germany and an Arsenal move was suggested to him, after he'd once again gone over his England dreams. [/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]Tor Fabrik asked Xhaka about his shirt number 34 and what it means to him, the player explained: "That was my first professional number at Basel. It's even tattooed on my back. I would also like to wear it in the future."[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]Then this happened:[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]TF: What if tomorrow Arsene Wenger calls and wants to take you, but the number is already taken?[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]Granit Xhaka: It was also like that at Gladbach, with Amin Younes. And at Arsenal Coquelin has it.[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]TF: You've already called?[/font]
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[size=small][font=Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif]Granit Xhaka: Yes, I've spoken with him, he would like to take another number (laughs).[/font][/size]

he's a good all rounder, would do well in england i think

QuincyAbeyie

My god, he would be perfect.

est

€50m is a lot of money. Is he any good?

Have only seen him a couple of times and he's never really stood out for me.

Ray

Well worth the money, would sort out the midfield.

goon

That seems very specific. Done deal!

Gazza M

est wrote:
€50m is a lot of money. Is he any good?

Have only seen him a couple of times and he's never really stood out for me.

with the tv money coming we'll see more and more inflated price tags.

ive seen a handful of matches from him. decent passer, and looooves to get stuck in to the point where he tends to rack up cards. he's not a great technician or an orchestrator from what ive seen, but i might not have seen enough to say that for sure

Clrnc

50m seems a very steep price for a central mid although he is obviously quality. Don't think even Kroos or Gundogan command that fee.

Bold Tone

Some of that must be for the name rights.

goon

Transfer fee is just €43m which is about £33m. A little more than what United paid for old Morgan.

Big Willie

How reliable is this?

dreamlord

Is he better than Coq? Assuming he'll replace him, and not Elneny/Cazorla.

Savz

£34m. Going rate for a highly rated, highly sort after central midfielder.

With Elneny, Wilshere, Ramsey, Coquelin already here, where does Xhaka fit into this equation?

jones

Clrnc wrote:
50m seems a very steep price for a central mid although he is obviously quality. Don't think even Kroos or Gundogan command that fee.

I'd rather him than both of those. He's one of the most complete CMs around, doesn't quite have the passing range of those two but is more athletic and on another level to either defensively. Price sounds actually reasonable taking FX rates into account

Very detailed report and what I'm reading on German websites makes it sound quite probable too. He could play with virtually everyone we have in midfield, fucking make it happen please.

Savz

Elneny, Wilshere, Ramsey, Coquelin, Xhaka, Oxlade, Iwobi, Ozil, Cazorla, Sanchez, Walcott, Campbell.

Xhaka and Elneny being the replacements for Flamini/Arteta who will most probably leave this summer (as well as Rosicky).

On paper that looks superb.

Savz

jones wrote:
Clrnc wrote:
50m seems a very steep price for a central mid although he is obviously quality. Don't think even Kroos or Gundogan command that fee.

He's one of the most complete CMs around

How often have you seen him and can you elaborate on his style of play?

Qwiss

Savz wrote:
Elneny, Wilshere, Ramsey, Coquelin, Xhaka, Oxlade, Iwobi, Ozil, Cazorla, Sanchez, Walcott, Campbell.

Xhaka and Elneny being the replacements for Flamini/Arteta who will most probably leave this summer (as well as Rosicky).

On paper that looks superb.

Still looks like 4th to me.

ElGeniodeOviedo

This is the one to get over Kroos, better for for us specifically and the PL generally.

He would completely "kill" Ramsey though, in Wenger parlance. Does the gaffer have it in him to be this ruthless? He hasn't been in the past

Savz

Xhaka over Kroos? oh my life.

Qwiss

If Wenger is after I'd guess he wants to go with 2 mobile midfielders.

Again if we are spending £50m I'd rather a forward. I like Xhaka better than Kroos though.