Granit Xhaka
Wolfsburg's striker Max Kruse (L) and Moenchengladbach's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match of VfL Wolfsburg v Borussia Moenchengladbach in Wolfsburg, on 5 March, 2016 Getty

Arsenal are in pole position to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer as Arsene Wenger looks to revamp his midfield and build his squad for the upcoming season. The north London club are currently third in the league, 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City and six behind Tottenham Hotspur with eight games left in the season.

The Sun reports that the Gunners have already opened talks with Monchengladbach over a £30m ($43m) move for Xhaka and the 23-year-old may replace Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini, whose contracts expire after the end of the season. Xhaka can play as a deep lying playmaker alongside Francis Coquelin or replace the Frenchman completely in the first XI, with Aaron Ramsey or Santi Cazorla capable of playing alongside him.

The midfielder has a penchant for the rash, having already picked up seven yellow cards and three red cards this season in the Bundesliga, something he has to work on if he has to make it in the Premier League, where referees are less lenient than in Germany. The Swiss international has scored three goals and assisted one thus far in all competitions and would add much needed threat from midfield, which the Gunners have missed this season owing to a barrage of injuries to key players.

Wenger is reportedly a huge fan of the player but is also keeping tabs on Grzegorz Krychowiak, who has made a name for himself while playing for Sevilla. The Gunners are also likely to be in the market for a striker, with Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott struggling to find their feet this season.

The Gunners expect Cazorla to be back after the international break alongside Aaron Ramsey, which will come as a major boost in their quest for the title. Jack Wilshere is recovering well from a broken leg he suffered in pre-season while Theo Walcott was named in the substitute bench for England after talk of him having suffered a dead leg in training.

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