Arsenal transfer news: Granit Xhaka and Torreira head for the exit

Granit Xhaka wants out of the Emirates

Granit Xhaka has told Arsenal “he wants to leave”, reports Metro but the paper says the north London club have concerns about selling the Swiss midfielder in January.

Xhaka, who was stripped of the captaincy this week after his meltdown against Crystal Palace, has now allegedly informed Unai Emery that he thinks it best he move on.

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While the Arsenal boss isn’t opposed to offloading Xhaka, the club is worried that given the situation potential buyers will look to exploit the situation and “submit low offers”. In an ideal world, says Metro, the Gunners would like to receive a sum similiar to the £34m that they gave to Borussia Monchengladbach in return for Xhaka in 2016.

AC Milan eye Lucas Torreira

Meanwhile, the Italian press are reporting that AC Milan hope to capitalise on the discontent of Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira.

The Uruguay star arrived at the Emirates with much fanfare in the summer of 2018 but the playmaker’s performances have dwindled after a bright start and it’s believed he would like to move back to Italy.

TMW reports that the former Sampdoria ace is “unhappy with his adventure in England” and wants to leave, and that news has come to the attention of Milan. Apparently they enquired about Torreira’s availability in the summer but were deterred by the Gunners’ £35m price tag. But it’s claimed that the South American will sit down with Arsenal chiefs next week “to discuss his future”, amid growing speculation that he will leave the club in a couple of months.

In a recent interview he said he “liked living in Italy more”, adding that London was too big for him. AC Milan are “interested in taking advantage of the discontent”, and the club hope they can haggle Arsenal down to under £30m for the 23-year-old.

Battle for Hinteregger

Arsenal and West Ham are ready to go head to head for Frankfurt defender Martin Hinteregger. With the Gunners’ defence a national laughing stock, manager Unai Emery is in desperate need of reinforcements and The Sun claims that the Spaniard is targeting Hinteregger in a January swoop.

The 27-year-old Austrian international “ticks all the boxes for Arsenal”, says the Sun, which explains his versatility, his experience and his ability to play on the left-side of the centre of defence. Capped more than 40 times by his country, Hinteregger will come up against Arsenal in the Europa League at the end of the month and an offer could be made in the January window.