Mikel Arteta might well be a fan of Granit Xhaka but his agent has told the press in Switzerland than the player wants to leave Arsenal for Hertha Berlin.

Speaking this week, Mikel Arteta revealed he is a big fan of Granit Xhaka, even wanting to sign him for Manchester City.

He told the whole squad they had a clean slate but, despite putting in a stellar performance against Bournemouth on Boxing Day, Granit Xhaka has no plans of starting over in London.

“Look, I will say it frankly and honestly: We are in agreement with Hertha BSC and would like to go to Berlin. So we told Arsenal’s club boss Raul Sanllehi and sports director Edu Gaspar – as well as the new coach Mikel Arteta,” his representative José Noguera told Blick.

“Arsenal was informed about all the steps, the player and Hertha are clear.

“It’s only about the transfer fee of the clubs.”

Blick believe the fee offered so far has been in the region of €25m and has even submitted the offer in writing.

“Granit would like to switch to Germany again,” Noguera added.

Granit Xhaka is currently under contract with Arsenal until 2023 after he signed a new deal last summer. He’s valued at around £27m but it’s not clear what Arsenal might be asking for him.

Hertha Berlin are currently 12th in the Bundesliga, four points above the relegation zone and nine points from the Champions League places unlike Arsenal who are, at the time of writing, 11th and six points above the relegation zone and eight points from the Champions League spots.

Blick’s article was released at 5.20pm (UK), not quite 30 minutes after Arsenal’s match had finished.