Gossip: Arsenal’s Xhaka deal close for £33.8m

Daniel Storey

ARSENAL CLOSE TO XHAKA DEAL
There are two major deals that seem likelier than most this summer. The first is Manchester City’s signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund, and the other is Arsenal buying Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach. From Borussias with love.

The latest news is that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Xhaka, and will sign him for £33.8m. The deal could even be completed before Xhaka goes off to the European Championship with Switzerland.

To be honest, £33.8m seems like an awful lot for a player who hasn’t *quite* made it yet. Still, Arsenal have plenty of disposable cash, and cannot be criticised for investing in their squad.

 

LIVERPOOL NEAR DEAL FOR GERMAN GOALKEEPER
It isn’t the name that many were expecting, but it seems like Jurgen Klopp really will sign a German goalkeeper this summer. The Liverpool Echo report that Liverpool are close to sealing a deal for Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius. All I know about him is that staring at his name for 10 seconds revealed that his name is an anagram of ‘our silk sari’.

Thankfully, the Echo have done a little more research. They discuss a move for a 6’3” goalkeeper who has played 91 league games for Mainz by the age of 22. Karius has also played for Germany U21s, and would arrive in England with a high reputation.

The intention from Klopp is clear. Buy a goalkeeper to provide competition for Simon Mignolet initially, but one who is likely to develop and take over as their No. 1 within two years.

 

HOW WEIRD: ANOTHER MOURINHO LEAK
According to Jorge Mendes the Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain and could move to the French champions unless Manchester United act quickly. The message to United is clear: Hurry up and appoint Jose or risk losing him and forever regretting it.

The former Chelsea manager views replacing Laurent Blanc at PSG as an excellent opportunity, especially given the vast sums of transfer cash the club can offer him. But let’s face it, he’s still blowing sweet kisses to United.

We’re getting really f**king sick of this now. So hope you enjoyed this latest update.

 

 

AND THE REST
Manchester United checked on Leroy Sane and Joao Mario at the weekend but Schalke have denied reports Sane has a buyout clause of £28m and say he is worth closer to £40m as they look to deter suitors…Arsene Wenger says Stan Kroenke is ready to invest “as much money as we want” to rebuild Arsenal, with Leicester’s N’Golo Kante among three players targeted…Napoli’s Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, 28, who has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, wants to lower the release clause in his contract from £72m to £47m…

Manchester United look like they have missed out on Valencia’s Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes, 22, who is thought to be on his way to Italian champions Juventus…Bournemouth have rejected a £25m bid from West Ham for striker Callum Wilson, 24, and midfielder Matt Ritchie…West Ham will activate an £8m release clause for Newcastle’s England winger Andros Townsend, 24, and also hope to sign Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, 25, from the Magpies…Antoine Griezmann will snub Manchester United and Chelsea to sign a new deal at Atletico Madriid.