Hertha Berlin interested in January move for Arsenal outcast
By Quinn Allen
According to ESPN FC, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side are in talks with the Gunners for a move involving Granit Xhaka
It’s no secret that Xhaka has fallen out of favor at the Emirates in what has been a disastrous season for Arsenal so far, sitting tenth in the Premier League table currently. With new boss and former Gunners player Mikel Arteta taking over duties as manager, the hope is that the former Man City assistant can turn around their fortunes this season and bring some success back to the club.
The start of this transformation would involve shipping off certain players who aren’t necessarily playing their part for Arsenal. Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka would be two names that would instantly come to mind, with rumors looming about both midfielders.
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ESPN FC claims that the Gunners are in advanced talks with Hertha Berlin regarding a January move for the Swiss midfielder, who has fallen out of favor with the Arsenal faithful after being subbed off last month and flipping off the Emirates supporters. After his antics, former manager Unai Emery stripped the 27-year old of the captain armband, handing it to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instead.
Xhaka joined the North Londoners in 2016 from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach for 45 million euros. He enjoyed a respectable first three seasons with the Gunners, bagging seven goals and handing out 11 assists in 99 appearances in domestic competitions, proving to be an important part of the Gunners midfield. However this term, he’s featured in just 12 of 17 Premier League fixtures, failing to score or provide any assists.
Arsenal is in discussion for a deal in the 20 to 30 million euros range across three years with the Berlin-based side. Hertha is currently in the 13th spot in Germany’s top-tier, not sitting far off the relegation zone. Klinsmann has made it his mission to strengthen the club in the January transfer window by bringing in several players who can help keep them around the middle of the table.
Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama is also on Hertha Berlin’s radar for the new year along with Xhaka.
Frankly, I believe Granit Xhaka’s time is up at the Emirates. They should turn to several younger players instead and look ahead to the future. Xhaka had his good times at Arsenal, but it may be time for him to move on. It will be interesting to see if the Swiss international will make a move back to Germany or another club in Europe, or end up waiting it out at Arsenal until the end of the season. He did enjoy a productive four seasons in Germany with Monchengladbach, so returning back to the Bundesliga would feel like familiar territory for Xhaka.
The January transfer window will open on January 1st.