Arsenal step up chase for £20m Granit Xhaka while Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema remains on their radar

Arsenal prepared to pay £20m for Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka
Gunners could also make a fresh inquiry for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema
Arsene Wenger says it’s team’s ‘responsibility’ to play attacking football

Published:
21:49 GMT, 16 April 2016

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Updated:
23:09 GMT, 16 April 2016

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Arsenal will step up their chase for a top-class striker as they prepare to make Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka their first major summer signing.

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.

Arsenal are close to maiing Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka their first summer signing

The Gunners could also be tempted to go back in for Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema

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 Swiss midfielder has parents of Albanian descent but he was born in Basel, for whom he played before joining Moenchengladbach.

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.

Arsenal have dropped out of race to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is expected to join Real Madrid

Xhaka’s arrival could increase pressure on players like Jack Wilshere in Arsenal’s midfield

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.

However, Benzema’s availability is potentially comprised by the French judicial investigation in which he is accused of colluding with a gang blackmailing his France international team-mate, Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema denies the charges but is currently suspended from the France national team until the case is resolved and will not play at Euro 2016.

Arsenal have already ruled out a move for Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain, with Wenger having rejected the chance to sign him three years ago. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a non starter because of his age and wage demands.