Arsenal step up the pace to bag Bundesliga star

With the pressure on more than ever to bring the glory days back to Arsenal, Arsene Wenger looks to have made a significant move in a bid to snap up one of Germany’s brightest talents.

Reports have emerged claiming the Arsenal boss has met with Granit Xhaka’s agent and father, as the Gunners look to secure the midfielder’s signature.

With Liverpool and Man City also both scouting the Borussia Monchengladbach ace, it appears Wenger is moving sooner rather than later.

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the Swiss star in January, but things have been a little quiet of late after no deal came through before the window ended.

But with the season only eight weeks from conclusion, teams are ramping up their movements and an agreement between Arsenal and Xhaka looks to be moving nearer.

A fee of £33m is believed to be the asking price for the 23-year-old, who has become one of the brightest talents in the Bundesliga since joining Monchengladbach from Basel in 2012.

With Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky both nearing the end of their careers, the future of Santi Cazorla in some doubt, plus the continued absence of Jack Wilshere, Wenger has been desperately short of central midfielders.

Mohamed Elneny has settled in nicely since arriving from Basel two months ago, but bringing in box-to-box powerhouse Xhaka would undoubtedly be a step up for the Gunners.

Arsenal have shown in recent years they won’t shirk at paying big money for the right player, and snapping up this European talent would be a mighty big tick in a box they desperately need filling.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.