Report: Romano confirms side are ‘preparing’ a bid for Arsenal star; club are open to selling

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AS Roma will reportedly make a new bid for Granit Xhaka after the first offer fell short of Arsenal’s valuation.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Jose Mourinho’s side are ‘preparing’ an offer for the Swiss international. After the announcement of Albert Sambi Lokonga this week, Arsenal are now open to selling Xhaka.

The midfielder has been linked with the Italian side for most of the window. Mourinho is reportedly a huge fan of the midfielder.

However, Roma have so far failed in agreeing to a transfer fee with Arsenal for Xhaka. As per Fabrizio Romano, the Swiss international has agreed personal terms with Roma. But the club are yet to agree to a fee with the Gunners.

Xhaka joined Arsenal five years ago from Borussia Monchengladbach for a reported £35m according to BBC Sport. However, it is highly unlikely Mikel Arteta’s side will recoup anything near that fee this summer.

The Roman club are eager to add Xhaka to their ranks this summer as Mourinho aims to build a side that can once again challenge at the top of Italian football.

Insider View:

Before the transfer window even started, there was a clear agreement amongst supporters that the squad had to be overhauled in a big way. And you can’t go much bigger than offloading a player who was a favourite for three Arsenal managers.

Xhaka has been a regular in the Gunners XI since he arrived from Germany in 2016.

Whilst there were some moments to savour, the Swiss international often left supporters frustrated and annoyed with moments of madness on the pitch.

Letting go of a player like Xhaka takes some guts from Arteta considering how much he used the Swiss star last season.

Yet it is a promising sign of intent from Arsenal that nobody is safe in this squad, and that if you don’t fit in the future vision of the club, you will find yourself out on the chopping block.