JAKARTA - Granit Xhaka has reached an agreement with Hertha Berlin. The midfielder has even told Arsenal he wants to join the Bundesliga club.
Xhaka's future at the Emirates Stadium has been in question since the midfielder reacted angrily when he was substituted in a clash against Crystal Palace in October.
Incidents of mutual derision ensued between Xhaka and fans. He was even kicked out of the Gunners' main squad for several weeks since the incident.
After being removed from the position of captain by former coach Unai Emery, the possibility of Xhaka leaving in the January transfer window is increasingly open. But new head coach Mikel Arteta said Xhaka was rebuilding his relationship with Arsenal fans.
Arteta has even clearly expressed his admiration for the Swiss international. He once suggested Manchester City to sign him in 2016.
"When I went from Arsenal to City to start training and we were looking for a player in that position, he was one of the players on my list," Arteta was quoted as saying by Soccerway, Friday, December 27.
"This is how much I like him. I was happy when Arsenal signed him because I thought he was going to be a great player."
"He has done some really good things and now he is caught in a very difficult situation which, I think, grew and grew and grew and one day it exploded."
In Arteta's first game since taking charge of the Gunners from Emery, Xhaka played 90 minutes against Bournemouth. In the Boxing Day match, the Gunners drew 1-1 and Xhaka played well.
But Xhaka's agent Jose Noguera claims the 27-year-old has an agreement with Hertha, who is now coached by Jurgen Klinsmann. The two sides hope to complete the transfer in the January window.
"Look, I will say it honestly and honestly - we agree with Hertha and want to go to Berlin," Noguera told the Swiss daily, Blick.
"That's what we say to Arsenal club boss Raul Sanllehi and sporting director Edu Gaspar - as well as new coach Mikel Arteta."
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