Arsenal are being heavily linked with a move for Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka, but officials at the German club have confirmed there’s been no movement on a transfer yet.

According to some reports, the Gunners were opening negotiations with a £24m bid but that simply won’t be enough to prise Xhaka away from Gladbach, where his contract has a clause to release him for that amount next summer.

“They need not even send the fax with a 30 million euro offer for Granit Xhaka,” said head coach André Schubert.

512845912 andre schubert head coach of gettyimages
André Schubert has said a €30m bid wouldn’t be enough for anyone to sign Granit Xhaka this summer. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

With a €30m release clause next summer, Gladbach would rather keep him and sell him then for that fee. To get him now, you get the impression Arsenal will have to bid quite a bit more.

“I fear it could get very tumultuous regarding rumours in summer,” sporting director Max Eberl said. Eberl is, ultimately, in charge of transfers at the Bundesliga club and confirmed that Arsenal have not yet submitted a bid for the Swiss midfielder. Nor have Liverpool or Manchester City, who have also been linked with the 23-year-old.

“There is currently no offer from England. I’ll keep you up to date when the first faxes roll in.”

With Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny, and Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park this season, Arsenal may not feel the need to sign a midfielder, particularly if Jack Wilshere proves his fitness before the season ends.

For most fans, though, that would be an error. Whether or not Xhaka would be the right player for the club, we can only speculate. He’s a talented passer and a tenacious tackler. Though his temperament can see him get into trouble, it’s a move most Arsenal fans would probably be content with. We will, for the time being, just have to wait and see what happens.