Why Arsenal’s £80m transfer target becomes new Granit Xhaka

Back in 2014, Arsenal hero Cesc Fabregas left Barcelona for Chelsea. The Spaniard later revealed that he had intended to re-sign with the Gunners when he left the Camp Nou.

Unfortunately, Arsene Wenger did not make the bid. Fabregas was confused, but it didn’t matter to him. He had one of the best seasons of his career at Stamford Bridge, registering 18 assists in the Premier League in 2024-15.

Twelve years later, history is beginning to unfold a little differently. Another former Arsenal midfielder, Granit Xhaka, played for Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland after leaving the Emirates before heading to Chelsea.

It’s a surprising move and one that will no doubt leave N5 people sad, even if the Gunners don’t really miss him.

Why Granit Xhaka is on the move again

Xhaka’s career at Arsenal has been a roller coaster. Under Wenger, there was a lack of discipline and rash actions, leading to red cards. Back then, the comment after a cheap challenge went unpunished in the Premier League was always, “If Xhaka does that, it’s a red.”

Of course, there were those infamous moments under Unai Emery. The Swiss midfielder, who came on as a substitute, was sent off the pitch after being jeered, threw his captain’s armband on the floor and cupped his ears at the fans.

Xhaka eventually reinvigorated his career at Arsenal under manager Mikel Arteta, but took a break in 2023 to head to Leverkusen and join Xabi Alonso in an unbeaten Bundesliga title.

He could be reunited with Alonso at Chelsea in a shock signing after captaining Sunderland for a year and helping them win the Europa League.

Reports suggest that Sunderland have no intention of losing him ahead of a historic campaign in Europe, but that he is particularly keen on a move.

The Gunners haven’t completely missed the Swiss international since his departure, but it feels like he’s left a void. There is no player in the current team that really resembles Xhaka.

Arsenal could sign new signing Xhaka

Heck, the Gunners could very well sign a new version of the enigmatic midfielder this summer.

Three years after his departure in the summer, when Arteta brought in Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, he could once again feature prominently in midfield.

Martin Zvimendi was signed for £55m a year ago, but after playing too much football during the season, Arteta and Andrea Berta are looking for more depth.

Lille wonderland Ayyoub Bouadi has been in discussions behind the scenes since he entered into talks earlier this year, with the club still potentially hijacking Tottenham’s bid for Sandro Tonali. The idea was that if the Gunners came calling, the Italians would reject Spurs.

However, Arsenal’s number one target in midfield at the moment is Tonali’s Thun teammate Bruno Guimarães. Reports late last week suggested that exploratory talks were already underway with the Brazilian’s camp over a transfer.

The latest update on the move comes courtesy of TEAMtalk, who report that Arsenal are set to make a move for the midfielder after being advised by his agent to pursue a deal.

The club’s interest dates back to before he moved to St James’ Park, and they are now reportedly ready to bring him to the Emirates. Berta and others have been told that Guimarães has no intention of signing a new contract with Newcastle.

As a result, after extensive discussions with the player’s representatives in recent weeks, Arsenal are now “increasingly confident” that a deal is possible if a deal can be reached on a transfer fee. A bid of £80m is currently being prepared.

Well, if they can get this deal done, the cap will be raised immediately. After all, he has already been described by Gabriel Martinelli as “one of the best midfielders in the world”. Moreover, he could be their Xhaka.

In fact, Guimarães is one of the most serious players in the top flight, a brutal player who you hate to play against but love to play with. He is very similar to Xhaka in that respect.

Since he first signed for Arsenal in 2016, only one player in the Premier League (James Tarkowski, 72) has received more yellow cards than Xhaka (64). He has received a yellow card in 259 games, or one in every four games. Meanwhile, since Bruno moved to Newcastle, he has received 33 yellows, once every 4.6 games.

The Brazilian can be reckless and aggressive, but his never-say-die attitude and warrior-like spirit certainly resemble Xhaka, but the comparison goes beyond just his physical presence.

Newcastle captain Guimarães, like Xhaka, is a natural leader, but is also technically very stable. Last season, the Thun warrior midfielder also scored nine goals and provided six assists in the Premier League. Especially in his last season in north London, he became a true box-crushing midfielder with certainly similarities to Xhaka.

The veteran, whose Arsenal career is coming to an end, has scored nine goals and assisted seven in all competitions in 2022/23.

At 28 years old, Guimarães is in his prime. He is a match-winner currently under contract and, if of Xhaka’s caliber, he is a player who could lead Arsenal to another Premier League title.