Mikel Arteta has told Granit Xhaka he will be allowed to leave Arsenal, but not until the summer transfer window.
The Switzerland international was stripped of the captaincy by Unai Emery back in November after he clashed with his own supporters during a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
Following a period on the sidelines, Xhaka was gradually reintegrated and has started four of Arsenal’s last five Premier League games, only missing the defeat against Manchester City due to concussion.
The 27-year-old produced arguably his most influential performance of the season so far at Bournemouth on Boxing Day, as Arsenal came from behind for force a draw in what was Arteta’s first game at the helm.
Despite having regained his place in the side and receiving the public backing of his new manager, who earlier this week revealed he wanted to sign him for Manchester City, Xhaka wants to return to Germany and is said to have already agreed a deal in principle with Hertha Berlin.
✅ First game as our head coach
A thank you to all our fans from @m8arteta ? pic.twitter.com/yyPU9WPBNj
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2019
The Bundesliga club, who are now managed by Jurgen Klinsmann, have tabled an opening offer of €25 million (£21.3m) but the Gunners are hoping to recoup somewhere close the £35m they paid Borussia Monchengladbach for Xhaka in the summer of 2016.
And, despite giving him public assurances over his future, Bild report that Arteta is happy to sanction Xhaka’s move but wants him to delay his departure until the end of the current campaign, a stance which is said to have annoyed the player’s representatives.
‘Look, I will say it frankly and honestly, we are in agreement with Hertha BSC and would like to go to Berlin,’ Xhaka’s agent Jose Noguera told Blick on Thursday.
‘We have told Arsenal’s club boss Raul Sanllehi and sporting director Edu Gaspar, as well as the new coach Mikel Arteta.
‘Arsenal was informed about all the steps, the player and Hertha are clear. It’s only about the transfer fee of the clubs.’
Arteta, meanwhile, has already issued the Arsenal board with his list of transfer priorities ahead of the winter window with defensive and midfield reinforcements top of the agenda.
Adrien Rabiot, who has largely been out of favour since his summer switch to Juventus from PSG, is a loan target, while Lille’s Brazilian defender Gabriel has been monitored.
MORE: Granit Xhaka agrees deal to leave Arsenal and sign for Hertha Berlin
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