ARSENAL are demanding £21.5million for midfielder Granit Xhaka, according to reports.
But Jose Mourinho’s new side Roma only want to pay £10m to land him this summer.
The Swiss star has been a vital part of manager Mikel Arteta’s reign, playing as a central partner for Thomas Partey and also as a makeshift left-back.
And Sky in Italy say that Arsenal will hold out for a fee in the region of £21.5m to let him go.
SunSport revealed earlier this month that Arsenal staff were concerned that the experienced midfielder would push for a transfer in the summer.
The Gunners finished the season in eighth meaning the Emirates outfit will be without European football for the first time in over two decades.
And Arteta is expected to oversee a mass exodus from north London with the likes of David Luiz, 34, already confirmed to be leaving.
Former Tottenham boss Mourinho is a fan and has already begun talks to bring the Swiss international with him to Roma.
Roma are reportedly looking to pay £10m plus bonuses for him this summer.
The Special One has made no secret of his admiration for Xhaka in the past.
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Speaking back in 2019, Mourinho said: “Xhaka is the main man in the entire Arsenal midfield, you can’t see it unless I lend you one of my eyes.
“Without him, Arsenal is lost. He is a leader. Remember, mistakes are made by humans.”
A return to the Bundesliga, where Xhaka spent four years at Borussia Monchengladbach, has also been mooted.
The £30m signing was first linked with leaving Arsenal back when he was stripped of the captaincy when Unai Emery was in charge.
Yet he has since turned his Gunners career around and still has two years left on his deal with the Premier League giants.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
