Bayer Leverkusen’s interest in Granit Xhaka suits Arsenal just fine while the Gunners pursue Moussa Diaby, while Barca look set to make a tidy profit on Raphinha…
XHAKA TO LEAVE ARSENAL IN PART-EX FOR FRANCE STAR
Arsenal want two central midfielders this summer, with Declan Rice at the top of their wishlist. Which is likely to see one of their most impressive performers this season squeezed out.
According to The Sun, Mikel Arteta won’t stand in Granit Xhaka’s way if he decides he wants to leave the Emirates while he faces the prospect of reduced involvement next season. Especially if Bayer Leverkusen are prepared to offer the 30-year-old a long-term contract to return to the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen’s interest in Xhaka certainly suits Arsenal because the Switzerland star can be used as a makeweight for another of their summer targets. Arteta wants a versatile forward and the Gunners have identified Moussa Diaby as their primary target. Leverkusen are looking for £50million to sell the France winger, which could be reduced by £15million if Arsenal chuck Xhaka in too.
PSG TO RAID PALACE FOR WINGER
Plenty of movement is expected at PSG this summer. Lionel Messi is off, even if he won’t make known his decision until after the end of the Ligue 1 season, while Neymar is also rather more open to an exit after being offered a lift out of Paris last week by the club’s supporters. Marco Verratti could be on the move too, with Man Utd supposedly interested.
PSG want to replace some of their big names with younger, French players, with a centre-back, a deep-lying midfielder, a striker and two wingers being sought. Among their targets, according to the Daily Mail, is Michael Olise.
Crystal Palace don’t want to lose the France Under-21 winger, especially since Wilfried Zaha is expected to be on the move at the end of his contract. But if Olise move to Paris, he might find himself being managed by Jose Mourinho, after the Roma boss’s agent held talks with PSG’s football advisor Luis Campos about replacing Christophe Galtier.
CHELSEA, NEWCASTLE LEARN RAPHINHA PRICE
Raphinha could be heading back to the Premier League after only a year away. The winger joined Barcelona from Leeds last summer but already the Catalans are looking to cash in as they look to raise funds while they run out of levers.
Arsenal were heavily linked with Raphinha but it seems Chelsea and Newcastle are now the frontrunners for the 26-year-old’s signature.
Whether his next destination is Stamford Bridge or St James’ Park, Sport says the Brazil international will cost £70million. Barca paid Leeds an initial fee of £49million, which could have risen to £55million if all the add-ons were met.
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