Atletico Madrid have set their sights on Granit Xhaka as the potential replacement for Rodri.
The La Liga outfit seems destined to lose the 23-year-old midfielder this summer as both Manchester City and Bayern Munich seem eager to pay his release clause.
Rodri’s departure will open up the defensive midfield spot and Diego Simeone wants to fit Xhaka into that role. However, Atletico are also firm favourites to land Benfica wonderkid, Joao Felix who has a release clause worth around £112.9m.
Paying out such a large sum would leave very little in the pot for other players. Of course, Rodri’s sale could bring in around £60-70m.
Xhaka’s contract is set to run till the summer of 2023 and Arsenal would like to recuperate the £35m they paid for him three seasons back. The Swiss international, who is also a captain has not worked out as well as one would have hoped at the Emirates.
After a disappointing campaign, Unai Emery is open to making glaring changes but is limited by the Gunners’ modest transfer budget. Selling off Xhaka could raise more funds to help Arsenal sign the necessary players.
The defence needs a major revamp and some of their top targets are already getting priced out of their hands by other competiting outfits.
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