As it’s international break, it’s the perfect time for some Arsenal FC transfer talk. There has been some speculation that manager Unai Emery’s seat is warming, but the club has issued a public vote of confidence already.
While Emery is probably sticking around for awhile, Granit Xhaka is one man who most certainly is not. The disgraced former team captain is not likely to feature ever again for the club, and even Emery has alluded to that likely being the case.
When you storm off the pitch dropping f-bombs on your own fans, well, you’ve worn out your welcome to say the least.
Now, while on international duty with Switzerland, Xhaka has thrown more shade at the supporters. His latest post depicts him in a national team kit with a caption that reads:
“Happiness is when you are satisfied with yourself and do not need the confirmation of others.”
Damn. Well then.
So with the Swiss midfielder inevitably on the move, he’ll be available at a cut rate price with all potential suitors aware that Arsenal are desperate to sell. One potential suitor is Newcastle United, according to The Telegraph. is Steve Bruce believes he can convince Xhaka to make a move to St James’ Park when the January window opens. However, they could face competition from AC Milan.
Next, in this all midfield edition of Arsenal FC transfer rumors, we shift to Lucas Torreira. According to his agent, Pablo Bentancur, the 23-year-old Uruguayan is not totally keen on the manner in which he is being implemented in Emery’s system.
“Torreira is doing well at Arsenal, although the change of role doesn’t make him happy,” said Bentancur to Radio Marte, (quotes by CalcioMercado), “but it must be said that this year the whole team is not doing well. It was difficult to take Torreira at the time, now I don’t know how things are, but I think Arsenal wants to retain him. In the new role he is not at ease, but we respect the coach’s decisions, after that we’ll see what happens.”
Torreira, who is signed until the end of the 2022-23 season, moved over from Sampdoria. Could a return to Italy possibly be in the cards? His agent sees that as a possibility, especially if the destination is Napoli. He gave an interesting reason too.
“Why? Because he is Uruguayan,” the player’s rep said.
“To tell you, he wants to end his career at Boca and Napoli is an environment very similar to that of Boca. Naples future destination? In football anything can happen.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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