Xhaka pictured in Arsenal kit ahead of move

Matt Stead

Arsenal appear to be closing in on a deal for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka after he was pictured in an Arsenal kit.

The Swiss international has flown to north London ahead of a move to the Gunners, with Arsenal having reportedly agreed a fee with the Bundesliga outfit for the services of the midfield enforcer.

The 23-year-old admitted earlier this week he could see himself playing for Arsenal, and a deal now appears to be imminent after he was pictured posing during a photoshoot in next season’s Arsenal kit.

The photos are the clearest indication yet that Xhaka has finalised his move to the Emirates Stadium, meaning the midfielder, who has earned 40 international caps for Switzerland, can fully focus on preparation for Euro 2016 next month.

It is understood that the deal will be announced next week, but that the two parties are still negotiating Xhaka’s deal.

The Daily Mail claim that Xhaka will be offered £110,000 a week, making him one of the highest earners at the club, alongside Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Petr Cech and Theo Walcott.

Sami Mokbel adds that the contract ‘will run until the end of the 2020-21 season,’ and that the deal will be worth £35million.

Xhaka will be Arsenal’s first outfield summer signing since Danny Welbeck joined from Manchester United in September 2014.

The midfielder has previously stated his wish to play in the Premier League, saying: “The Premier League is not my goal, but a childhood dream. It is a dream that could be fulfilled.

“As of now, I am still a Gladbach player, that might change in the next weeks, or it might not.”