ARSENAL are reportedly planning to hijack Tottenham’s Weston McKennie pursuit by offering Juventus Granit Xhaka in exchange for their star.
The Gunners are aware that Juve are interested in Xhaka as they look to bolster their midfield following their poor start to Serie A season.
And instead of cash, the North London side are open to taking McKennie in a straight swap deal, the Express report.
Such a deal could suit both clubs, as Xhaka and McKennie are reportedly out-of-favour with their respective clubs.
The Express claim that Allegri doesn’t appreciate the American’s input in the Juve team.
And despite signing a one-year contract extension with Arsenal this summer, Arsenal’s boss Mikel Arteta is rumoured to be losing patience with the Swiss national following his 11th career red card against Manchester City.
After the City game, which the Gunners lost 5-0, Arteta couldn’t hide his anger and publicly blasted Xhaka’s dismissal.
It’ll be a huge blow to Spurs if bitter rivals Arsenal manage to beat them to McKennie’s signature.
Spurs were reportedly hoping to bring the versatile £40million-rated midfielder to White Hart Lane in the upcoming January transfer window.
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Nuno Espirito Santo’s side saw McKennie as exiled star Tanguy Ndombele’s ideal replacement.
And hoped to use their managing director Fabio Paratici who joined them from the Serie A giants last year to lure him to the club.
The 48-year-old was the man who brought McKennie to Turin from Schalke earlier this year.
And Paratici’s already used his extensive knowledge of the Italian league to assist the club in bringing in Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
