Despite the recent admission from Mikel Arteta that Granit Xhaka impresses him, the latter is likely to leave Arsenal as early as January. Jose Noguera, agent for the former Gunners captain, has confirmed the Swiss international has made a deal with Hertha Berlin, at least in principle.
Noguera said the Arsenal board had been made aware of his talks with Hertha. He added that newly-appointed coach Arteta was also informed of Xhaka's impending transfer, which depending on the final agreement between Arsenal and Hertha, could be implemented by next month.
Should the Xhaka move pushes through, Metro said it would prove correct the rumors that following the public spat between the midfielder and Gunners supporters, he had expressed interest in returning to Bundesliga.
From Borussia Monchengladbach, Xhaka jumped to Arsenal in 2016 in accordance with the deal that saw the Gunners paying £30 million.
To be fair, the move by Xhaka was likely in reaction to the series of actions that followed his controversial word-war with some Gunners fans at the Emirates. Shortly after the incident, the Swiss rarely appeared on the pitch and was bumped off from the club captaincy.
However, he gradually returned to active games and even made the first team in Arteta's initial game as Gunners boss. The Spanish also stated that he admires Xhaka as a talented player and indicated the midfielder is an important element of the Arsenal gameplay.
Notwithstanding, it was clear that Noguera did his work and started talking with teams that might be interested in having the Gunners star, said to be popular with his teammates.
"Look, I will say it frankly and honestly, we are in agreement with Hertha BSC and would like to go to Berlin," The Sun reported the agent as saying.
Noguera also made clear that his actions have the approval of Xhaka, adding his client is obviously keen on making the change at the soonest possible time. It is no secret too that Arsenal has seriously considered moving Xhaka out of Emirates, so the deal should not be a surprise to club officials.
"We have told Arsenal's club boss Raul Sanllehi and sporting director Edu Gaspar, as well as the new coach Mikel Arteta. Arsenal was informed about all the steps, the player and Hertha are clear," Noguera said.
The agent also reminded that during a talk with Arteta, Xhaka was given the impression that he can leave, possibly by the end of the season.
Noguera said the details that the two clubs will need threshing out is the transfer fee. Supposedly, Hertha is prepared to pay £21.3 million to bring Xhaka back to the German league.
