Juventus ‘want to hijack Roma’s deal for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka’ after his impressive performances at Euro 2020… and their interest could ‘hike up the Switzerland star’s price’
Juventus reportedly want to hijack Roma’s proposed deal for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, with the Italian giants impressed by his performances at Euro 2020.
Xhaka has been heavily linked with a move to Roma, who will be managed by former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho next season, with reports suggesting he has already agreed a deal with the club.
However, their Serie A rivals Juve want to throw a spanner in the works, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.
Juventus reportedly want to hi-jack Roma’s proposed deal for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka
Reports in June suggested Roma had agreed a £15.5million deal with Arsenal, but Calciomercato claim the Gunners have rejected an offer of £10.3m plus £2.5m in add-ons.
Mikel Arteta’s side are said to want at least £17m for Xhaka but that price could increase with Juve now interested.
Xhaka has been impressive for Switzerland at the European Championship and captained his country to a shock win over favourites France in the last 16.
Xhaka has been impressive for Switzerland and helped them knock France out of Euro 2020
The midfielder joined Arsenal for £35million in 2016 but has had a mixed time in north London
He was named UEFA’s ‘Star of the Match’ for that victory but he will be forced to miss the quarter-final with Spain after picking up a second yellow card.
The midfielder joined Arsenal for £35m in the summer of 2016 and became their club captain three years later.
However, he was stripped of the role five months later after telling supporters to ‘f*** off’ during a game with Crystal Palace in 2019.
The 28-year-old has played 220 times for the Gunners, scoring 13 goals, and has helped the north Londoners to two FA Cup and two Community Shield trophies.
Xhaka insisted his focus is on the Euros but admitted he had read about Roma’s interest.
He told Blick: ‘Of course I read (about the interest). But now I’m 100 per cent focused on the national team here. That’s more important than Arsenal or rumours right now.
Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of the 28-year-old but could face a battle to take him to Roma
‘I have another two years on my contract in London and Arsenal they know what they have in me. When the time comes to talk about a transfer, I’ll be here.’
Mourinho has been a long-term admirer of Xhaka, embracing the midfielder after Spurs’ north London derby victory over their rivals this season, and praised him back in 2019.
‘Xhaka is the main man in the entire Arsenal midfield, you can’t see it unless I lend you one of my eyes,’ the former Spurs boss said.
‘Without him, Arsenal is lost. He is a leader. Remember, mistakes are made by humans.’
