Granit Xhaka is inching closer to leaving Arsenal to join Roma as the gap between the offer and the request is now minimal. The Gunners have come down from their initial demands and are asking for €17.5M, while the Giallorossi placed a €15M bid. There is significant momentum towards the completion of the deal, Sky Sport reports.
According to Roma Press, his agent José Noguera is pushing to finalize the transfer before the Euro. He talked the London club into lowering their asking price because the midfielder wants to move. Switzerland will face Wales Saturday, so the transfer could be at least unofficially wrapped up Friday. Xhaka appears poised to depart from Arsenal after five seasons, where he won the FA Cup twice and the Community Shield once.
Roma are confident they will be able to land also goalkeeper Rui Patricio from Wolverhampton, who is their top choice for the role. The two sides have not come to terms yet, but the difference is not too steep. The Portuguese international has agreed to a three-year contract with the Italian side.
On the other hand, the Giallorossi have run into trouble in their chase of Andrea Belotti, as Torino president Urbano Cairo is holding firm on his €30M price tag. Given the difficulties, CEO Tiago Pinto has reached out to the entourage of Sardar Azmoun, Corriere dello Sport reports. His contract with Zenit expires in 2022 and he would be less expensive than the Italian striker. He bagged 19 goals and provided six assists in 24 domestic matches last season and has been highly productive during his time in Russia.