Arsenal are reportedly closing in on Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder, Granit Xhaka.

Despite Arsene Wenger denying that we were seriously looking to bring in anybody before the summer, the rumours linking us with the 23-year-old have been gathering pace and now, according to Sport1, we’re ready to pay €30-40m to get him.

All Xhaka had said on the subject is:

“The decision is not alone to me I have contract until *2020. And if something is coming, then we look at the jointly. Let’s see what happens.”

Granit, it’s *2019, pal.

523799652 granit xhaka of moenchengladbach angry gettyimages
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – APRIL 24: Granit Xhaka of Moenchengladbach angry during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on April 24, 2016 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Mika Volkmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)

The Swiss international has appeared 35 times for the Bundesliga team this season, often starting and getting a full 90 minutes to his name. He’s clearly a valuable player and one that Wenger feels we need, if we’re willing to pay so much for him.

If true, it shows that we are taking next season seriously. At least it seems that way. With Mikel Arteta definitely leaving, Mathieu Flamini trying to save the world and Francis Coquelin turning out not to be the knight in shining armour everyone thought he was, getting another defensive midfielder is a must.