AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing beleaguered Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Swiss radio network RSI, Granit Xhaka is the subject of interest from AC Milan, who are considering signing him in the January transfer window. The beleaguered Arsenal midfielder is open to calling it quits at the Emirates in the winter.
Xhaka joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016. In the subsequent three years, he grew to become an integral member of the first-team setup at the North London club, becoming a regular under Arsene Wenger before cementing his place once Unai Emery took charge last season.
At the onset of the current campaign, his progress continued in the form of becoming the Arsenal captain, following the departure of Laurent Koscielny in the summer. But, a tumultuous start to the season was thrown into a disarray when he engaged in a verbal barrage with fans during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last month.
Xhaka has subsequently been stripped of the club captaincy by Emery, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang becoming the new Arsenal captain. And, the 2-0 loss at Leicester City last weekend was the fourth successive game wherein the beleaguered midfielder was not even up for selection.
While Xhaka has stressed that he is ready to fight for his place back in the side, chances are he might just have played his final game for Arsenal. And, AC Milan are looking to pounce on the situation that the 27-year-old finds himself in, with the Rossoneri keen on making a move for him.
AC Milan have been in all sorts of trouble so far this season, with Marco Giampaolo already facing the axe. Stefano Pioli has taken charge in his stead, but results have hardly improved. With the Serie A giants’ squad continuing to falter, and midfield is one area that could perhaps, do with some bolstering.
Giacomo Bonaventura and Lucas Biglia are now in their thirties and need to be replaced, while Ismael Bennacer has struggled to settle in at San Siro. In such a scenario, someone like Xhaka comes off as a viable target for AC Milan, with the former Arsenal captain likely to enjoy the slower pace of the game in Italy.
The report even goes on to suggest that Xhaka is now open to a January move away from Arsenal and is already property hunting in Milan. AC Milan CEO, Ivan Gazidis, formerly the Arsenal chief executive, who oversaw Xhaka’s move from Borussia Monchengladbach, will be leading the negotiations, giving the Rossoneri further advantage in their pursuit of the player.
What now remains to be seen is if Arsenal are ready to entertain the idea of selling Xhaka in the January transfer window. In such a scenario, it will be interesting to see if a winter move to AC Milan sees the light of the day for the beleaguered midfielder.
