Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Granit Xhaka and will step up their chase for a top-class striker when the deal for the Swiss midfielder is completed.
Xhaka is close to finalising a move to the Emirates from Borussia Monchengladbach though a fee has yet to be negotiated for the 23-year-old, with the Bundesliga club wanting £30m and Arsenal wanting to pay £20m.
But Monchengladbach expect the player to move and a compromise will be found, though the transfer announcement may be delayed until July 1st when the German summer transfer window opens. And all parties are now expecting the move to go through.
Xhaka’s arrival will increase pressure on Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey to secure a first-team spot, with Xhaka likely to play alongside Santi Cazorla, with Mesut Ozil at No.10.
The signing may go some way to appeasing Arsenal fans angry that last summer they signed no new outfield players, adding only goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea.
However, with the Xhaka deal almost secure, Arsenal now have to set their sights on a new centre forward.
They have dropped out of the race for Aubameyang, who is expected to join either Real Madrid or Manchester United for £70m. Last season they attempted to sign Karim Benzema and if Aubameyang or Robert Lewandowski join Real Madrid in the summer, Arsenal would make fresh enquiries.
