‘Magnificent’ Arsenal transfer target is the long-term Granit Xhaka replacement, Andrea Berta must sign him

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Arsenal are still missing Granit Xhaka, almost two years after he bid farewell to the Emirates.

Xhaka is thriving at Bayer Leverkusen, where in the 2023/24 campaign, the Switzerland international became an Invincible.

The former Arsenal midfielder was a crucial part of Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten side in the Bundesliga last season, as he continues to impress with the German club.

Back in North London, it’s been suggested that Arsenal still miss Xhaka, who offered so much to Mikel Arteta’s midfield during his final season in the Premier League.  

Andrey Santos can be Arsenal’s replacement for Granit Xhaka

Though Declan Rice has been exemplary for Arsenal in midfield, there’s still a missing piece to Arteta’s puzzle.

The stability that Xhaka offered, as well as his ability to contribute in the final third, made him untouchable in the 2022/23 campaign, but now, the Gunners could finally locate the 32-year-old’s true heir.

Arsenal have been linked to Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who is currently taking Ligue 1 by storm, on loan at Strasbourg.

Described as ‘magnificent’ by Strasbourg’s assistant head coach Justin Walker, via The i Paper, Santos could be Arteta’s overdue replacement for Xhaka. 

A player capable of being a no-nonsense defensive presence in the engine room as well as a goal threat, the Brazilian certainly fits the bill, as the numbers portray.

When comparing Santos’ 2024/25 campaign in Ligue 1 to Xhaka’s final season in the Premier League, the comparisons are there for all to see.

It would be a remarkable capture for the Gunners, particularly considering that the midfielder is an asset of London rivals Chelsea.

Arsenal will be watching Andrey Santos closely in the summer

Right now, Santos is not Enzo Maresca’s concern, as he continues to thrive away on loan.

In the summer, such could change, as the Daily Mail understand that the Chelsea manager is open to reviewing the 20-year-old during the Club World Cup in June. 

What’s also interesting about the report is that it remains unclear whether the Blues see Santos as a player who will be of use to Maresca next season.

Such could pave the way for Arsenal to attempt to take the Brazilian off their rivals’ hands, in what could be a thrilling, but incredibly difficult deal to pull off.