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Jose Mourinho asks for time as he is unveiled as Roma manager
Roma are reportedly just ‘one step away’ from sealing a £17million transfer deal with Arsenal for Granit Xhaka. The Switzerland international has become one of Jose Mourinho’s top targets as he seeks to guide Roma back into the Champions League.
Xhaka has endured a mixed five-year stay at the Emirates Stadium, being handed the captaincy at one point before having that stripped following his sarcastic clapping to supporters.
The 28-year-old has been a regular in Arsenal’s midfield since he moved to the Gunners from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016.
He continued to play an important role last season, appearing in all but six of Arsenal’s Premier Legaue games.
The Swiss star mainly featured in defensive midfield, but was called upon to deputise at left-back when Kieran Tierney was injured.
He would then go on to star at Euro 2020, with his performance against France at the last 16 stage particularly impressive.
Roma 'one step away' from handing Granit Xhaka £17m Arsenal exit (Image: Getty Images)
But there has been a feeling this summer that Xhaka’s time in London was at an end, with the player himself making his desire to leave clear.
Mourinho has become a big fan of the midfielder and wants to bring him to the Stadio Olympico.
But while Xhaka has consistently attempted to get the deal moving, talks have been stalling over Arsenal’s valuation.
Roma were believed to be unwilling to match the price tag that the Gunners had slapped on Xhaka, with the midfielder reportedly offering to had back his bonus if the fee could be cut.
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But Xhaka now looks to finally have been given the exit he so badly desires, with multiple reports in Italy suggesting a deal is now close.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, the hierarchy at Rome are now ready to ‘take the extra step’ in order to complete the protracted move.
Italian website Calciomercato backs up that report, as they claim Roma are ‘about to close’ the deal, with the Serie A side now just ‘one step away’ from sealing Xhaka’s arrival.
Xhaka is so keen to link up with Mourinho that it is stated that he has already rejected an approach from an unnamed Serie A rival to Roma.
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Xhaka had been a key player for Mikel Arteta last season (Image: Getty Images)
With that in mind, Calciomercato state that Xhaka’s departure from the Emirates is now ‘all done’ and should be announced soon, barring any ‘surprises’.
It appears that Roma have won the standoff over the fee involved, with the report stating that the Italian club will pay £17million for Xhaka’s services.
That represents an £18m loss on what Arsenal paid Monchengladbach ahead of Euro 2016.
Mourinho will be delighted to have finally brought in Xhaka, with the Portuguese boss said to view him as the ‘ideal reinforcement’ for his new team.