Hertha BSC have an agreement in principle to sign Granit Xhaka on loan with a £25m purchase option, but Mikel Arteta has to approve the move.

The Independent claim Hertha BSC have an agreement for a loan deal for Granit Xhaka. They want to sign the midfielder on loan, with a view to a £25m permanent move. The transfer won’t go through in January unless Mikel Arteta agrees to it though.

Arsenal gave Xhaka permission to hold talks with other clubs after his public falling out with the fans in November. The Gunners were willing to let him leave, but Arteta’s appointment changed things.

Arteta likes Xhaka as a player, and will only let him leave if he’s sure Arsenal can replace him, either internally or with a January signing.

Xhaka is up to 16 appearances for Arsenal this season, despite his November absence. He missed the game against Chelsea with illness over the weekend, but he’s still playing whenever possible.

If he’s a starter when available, Arsenal certainly have to have a replacement before selling. You can’t lose a member of your first-choice lineup without a plan for what to do next.

For that reason, a loan still seems unlikely. Arsenal can’t reinvest unless they’re sure they’ll get a good fee in first.