AC Milan have reportedly begun talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of midfielder Granit Xhaka.
After spells with Basel, Borussia Monchengladbach and Arsenal, the 32-year-old Swiss international has enjoyed an excellent stint with the Bundesliga giants, having played a key role in their success under former boss Xabi Alonso.
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With his experience, leadership, technical ability and influence on the pitch, Xhaka would arguably be an excellent addition to this Milan midfield, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Milan have now made direct contact with Leverkusen, and talks between the two clubs are subsequently underway.
It’s added that Xhaka is open to the move to join us, and so now it seemingly comes down to the Rossoneri making an adequate offer in terms of a transfer fee as well as agreeing on personal terms with the midfield ace.
Having already sold Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City this summer, there is a major void in the Milan midfield, and so Xhaka will undoubtedly help fill that.
However, as part of the bigger picture with Massimiliano Allegri’s rebuild of the squad after our bitterly disappointing season last year, it’s imperative that we have leaders and a strong core to the team to build foundations for future success, and so Xhaka undoubtedly ticks a lot of important boxes.
Further, this transfer market has to be about giving Allegri the necessary tools to implement his identity, ideas, system and style of play, and if he believes that Xhaka gives him a major boost in making that process a success, it’s hoped that we can land his signature in the coming weeks.
Time will tell though if a deal is ultimately reached between the respective parties to get a transfer secured, as with many additional exits being touted this summer, Milan have seen negotiations break down over the likes of Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez, and so perhaps we’d be well advised to wait and see how things progress.
What is certain at this stage though is that if it isn’t Xhaka, Milan certainly still need to make a move for a new midfielder this summer, and potentially for more than one would be preferable, particularly if we see further departures in that department.
