Granit Xhaka remains open to a return to Borussia Monchengladbach if the German side wants him after his contract at Arsenal expires.
Granit Xhaka endured an uncertain summer after AS Roma kept channels open over a move for the Arsenal midfielder. For months speculation rumbled on as the Swiss star looked increasingly likely to make the switch to Rome, only for Edu to take a solid stand.
Roma were looking to sign the midfielder on the cheap, and Jose Mourinho’s side never came close to meeting Arsenal’s expectation of a fee. As the saga dragged on, Edu decided to pull out of talks and offered Xhaka a new three year deal at the club.
The midfielder is considered important by Mikel Arteta, who was prepared to sign a replacement had the Swiss star left for Rome. The Italian team still retain interest and they might make another attempt to sign him in the January window. However, with Arsenal set to lose Thomas Partey for the AFCON, it’s unlikely Xhaka will be allowed to leave.
The fact that Xhaka signed a new contract without a drastic pay rise indicated his commitment to the club and their long term future. At the back end of last season, he formed a fantastic partnership with Partey in midfield, which was also evident in this season’s North London Derby.
Recently, there have been rumours of a possible return to former club Borussia Monchengladbach, although Xhaka was on hand to dismiss a move in the short-term. His comments appeared on Tribal Football via the Mit Geredet Podcast. The midfielder suggested he might be open to a move when his Arsenal deal expires, although asked the question of the German side if they’d want him at that time.
Xhaka said, “I never made the move from Borussia to Arsenal for the money. It was a dream for me to play in England. I have just extended my contract, which still has two and a half years to run. Then I’ll be 32, and if Max Eberl (Monchengladbach’s director of sport) is willing to bring me back when I’m 32, my door will be open.”
Xhaka remains out of action after injuring the medial ligaments of his knee during the North London Derby earlier this season. While he has resumed light training, the Swiss star could be expected to return around January. The Gunners have done fairly well in his absence, climbing up to fifth on the Premier League table.
