I'd keep him as a squad player. He is sometimes useful for certain matches. Unless we receive a huge offer we shouldn't let him go. Not sure if anybody will bid big for him anyway since he has been mostly disappointing for months now.

jones wrote:

It's an adequate fee even discounting the TV money. Xhaka has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave in 2017 for €35m, so obviously Gladbach will ask for a premium in the last window they can freely negotiate the fee.

One of the best CMs in the Bundesliga, CL and EL experience, captain for both club and country, younger than the likes of Wilshere, Campbell or Elneny. £35m is about par in my opinion

I am intrigued by this guy because he does look better on the ball than Coquelin and is much bigger and stronger - which I feel is a big deal because Coquelin gets run over a fair bit and doesn't have the physique to really dominate that central area.

I would love to know more about his touch under pressure or how he manipulates the ball in tight spaces. What sort of passer is he? Reliable under pressure, accurate and purposeful, good short and long, capable of incision when it's on? Is he good in the air? Is he aggressive and physical or a bit of a wuss? When he tackles does he throw himself around or is he intelligent in the way he presses and goes into challenges?

Is he the sort of talent that will be coveted by the big three in the future? Why isn't he being linked with them now?

Not expecting answers to all this, just stuff I'm wondering

jones wrote:

Where and why would Ramsey want to go? He's playing virtually every possible minute

Sounds like fan speculation to me because Elneny and Coquelin are doing well in his absence

Some so called 'ITK' are hinting towards it rather than outright saying it.

jones wrote:

It's also possible that Gladbach are trying to get the deal done early so they can get their replacement in before the Euros kick off. They sold their best players like Reus, Dante, Ter Stegen and others in the last couple seasons and had to move early for replacements because clubs will haggle for their own players knowing that Gladbach are loaded.

That would be the sensible thing to do, we on the other hand will bargain until the last minute. Get an extra few mill out of the other club and potentially lose out on our own targets!

JazzG wrote:

Qwiss! wrote:

If it happens I hope we still sign a winger and a striker. Without those all other signings wont matter.

Don't think we'll make three big money signings, reckon there might be two even that is pushing it with us! 

Also rumours of Ramsey wanting to leave doing the rounds, it wouldn't surprise me if we were trying to get someone knowing he might leave.  Fits more in line with our thinking then just buying this guy and keeping our current options.

What are the Ramsey rumours? 

I just can't see Ramsey or Wilshere being dropped if every one of our midfielders are fit, even though that's hard ever.

Then again I can't see Coquelin being dropped neither. If Xhaka comes with such a huge fee will he be a squad player? Possibly but Wenger spending that much when it's so unlike him hints that he'll be a starter. I mean.. Wenger doesn't spend big much, so when he does it's for a starter.

I know Cazorla's contract is up next summer, but if he's here also next season and fit, is he not first choice CM? Can we really leave a player of Cazorlas ilk on the bench.

You can also make a good argument for Elneny.

All in all: The more quality in the middle, the better. No player should rest on their laurels and having a midfield of Xhaka/Ramsey/Wilshere/Coquelin/Cazorla/Elneny is a great thing.

Unless perhaps we're maybe changing formation, playing a more flat midfield trio.

jones wrote:

Where and why would Ramsey want to go?

I think he'll end up at United at some point after Wenger leaves. Maybe sooner if they table a good bid.

Savz wrote:

Then again I can't see Coquelin being dropped. If Xhaka comes with such a huge fee will he be a squad player?

If we're willing to spend £35 million on Xhaka he'll slot into the team right away. Coquelin is not starting quality and Elneny, while looking good, has played like three league games. It's way too soon to say anything about where he stands in the longer term. There's plenty of room in the squad.

Think Xhaka is the Cazorla replacement. From what I've read/heard he's a physical player but one that starts many passing moves from deep for both the Swiss and Monchengladbach. I also can't see Wenger paying that much money for somebody who isn't going to walk into the team (at least initially). Coq/Elneny will have to fight for the other spot as the more defensive scrapper.

Ramsey wide is better for the team anyways.

I can't imagine Özil being here next year anyway so all of them will probably play.

no way we're selling ozil unless he hands in a transfer request

Or somebody offers an astronomical fee.

Gunner89 wrote:

German newspaper BILD understand that Xhaka will join Arsenal this summer for £35m. Wages of £110k p/w.

The fee is £35.3m. BILD say the deal is "practically done". Wenger met Xhaka's family in Germany last week.

this was 1 line from an unrelated article in bild, and it was referencing their link from last week, so not exactly fresh info

Klaus wrote:

jones wrote:

Where and why would Ramsey want to go?

I think he'll end up at United at some point after Wenger leaves. Maybe sooner if they table a good bid.

That's surprising to hear from someone who rates him as highly as you. If he goes he can go fuck himself.

Gunner89 wrote:

German newspaper BILD understand that Xhaka will join Arsenal this summer for £35m. Wages of £110k p/w.

The fee is £35.3m. BILD say the deal is "practically done". Wenger met Xhaka's family in Germany last week.

:drool:

jones wrote:

Klaus wrote:

I think he'll end up at United at some point after Wenger leaves. Maybe sooner if they table a good bid.

That's surprising to hear from someone who rates him as highly as you. If he goes he can go fuck himself.

I rate Ramsey; I've just never felt that he'd stick around for the rest of his career. He's been a United fan all his life and our fans treated him horribly when he struggled post injury. They still treat him pretty badly on social media. I think whatever allegiance he feels is towards Wenger for sticking with him and giving him his chance.

His current contract is up around the same time as Wenger's. Meanwhile, United have a dearth of competent midfielders - especially homegrown - and have been interested in him in the past. They're going to be back at the top quicker than us too at this rate, so there'll probably be a sporting incentive too. It just fits.

This one has me interested now. A bit of background on him from a Swiss Gooner.

http://www.gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2016/03/30/granit-xhaka-scouting-report-from-switzerland-not-from-fifa/

With this little bit thrown in toward the end:

Very ambitious and self-confident, Granit Xhaka looks ready to move another step forward in his career, both with the Club and his National team: made for the role of midfield general and main engine of the Swiss team at the Euros in France, he is very unlikely to be at Borussia Mönchenglädbach at the beginning of next season, since the Swiss can be snapped for a mere £ 23m (€ 30m) due to a release clause in his contract – as confirmed by the player himself to the Swiss press.

Hmm...casts doubt over the credibility of Bild's story if true.

Reading around a bit and it seems that the guy that wrote that article has it wrong and the release clause kicks in the following season, in 2017.