Arsenal News: Gunners Fans Wish Roma Luck, Controversial Midfielder Agrees To 5-Year Deal

Traditionally, any player who would move to a new club would result in heartache. But it appears the case of Granit Xhaka is an exception. Gunners’ followers appear to be happy that the controversial player is leaving Emirates Stadium.

There are reports that the Swiss midfielder has agreed to a five-year deal to join A.S. Roma with Xhaka set to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho. Both have been in close communication and it appears the reunion will be made official soon.

Xhaka will be the first order of business of Arsenal FC with others to follow. The names of Hector Bellerin and Bernd Leno have been floated, both of whom are expected to depart Emirates Stadium this summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old midfielder has long been speculated of leaving the Gunners after failing to his stride with the club. His inability to come up with a consistent showing was part of that, not to mention his ugly run-in with fans in 2019.

That incident refers to a match in 2019 where the Gunners drew with Crystal Palace. At that time, Xhaka told fans to “f*** off” as he was jeered off the pitch. Unai Emery was still at the helm back then. The 28-year-old found a new lease on life under Arteta but it appears the stigma of that remains.

The final price to seal the transfer of Xhaka to Roma has yet to be known. However, sources allege that the deal would be worth roughly £17 million ($24.11 million) that would span for five years.

A reunion with Mourinho could help Xhaka shine. However, not all are convinced he can. That includes former Roma goalkeeper Fernando Orsi. He questions the dynamism of the Swiss player and adds that Xahak is not exciting when he spoke on Italian radio station Radio Radio’s Mattino Sport via football.london.

“The player does not completely convince me, he is not exciting,” Orso quipped. “He is physical, he does not solve the problems of the team, but in a team he is good.”

Regardless, the decision on that will fall on the shoulders of Mourinho. He thinks highly of Xhaka and stressed in 2019 that mistakes are made by humans.

"Without him, Arsenal is lost. He is a leader. Remember, mistakes are made by humans," Mourinho said.