Roma to return with second Xhaka bid after Arsenal rejection

Roma look set to return with another offer for Granit Xhaka after Arsenal rejected their initial approach for the midfielder.

Incoming manager Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster his squad with Premier League stars to achieve Serie A success.

Xhaka is one of his top targets and could be taken to the Stadio Olimpico in the coming months.

According to Italian source Gazzetta dello Sport (via Metro), Roma‘s first offer for Xhaka came in at €13million, including bonuses.

Arsenal swiftly rejected that bid and will only do business at €20million. The Italian side are reportedly interested in taking them up on that offer, and will soon return for further negotiations.

Despite falling out with fans in 2019, Xhaka remains an important first team member at the Emirates.

This season, he featured 31 times in the Premier League as Arsenal finished eighth. He’s a big voice in Mikel Arteta’s changing room and is thought to be a good influence on their younger players.

However, the Switzerland international may be sold this summer to fund Arsenal’s transfer pursuits.

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They’re aiming to raise around £60million so they can bring in the likes of Emi Buendia from Norwich and Brighton’s Yves Bissouma.