Journalist says he'd be 'stunned' if Arteta sold £35m Arsenal player now, but it could happen next summer

By Sam Preston

Granit Xhaka is not looking likely to move before the end of the transfer window but could leave Arsenal next summer.

On YouTube, Freddie Paxton said that even though Arsenal have signed Oleksandr Zinchenko and remain in the hunt for another midfielder, Xhaka is likely to stay put for another year.

But by this time next year, Xhaka could have moved on, and there is speculation every transfer window about him making a switch.

Right now, Xhaka seems important to Arteta, who is embarking on yet another season of transforming his squad with the aim of closing the gaps to the country’s top clubs.

Xhaka could leave Arsenal next year

“Arteta sees him as a really important part of what he’s building,” he said of Xhaka.

“You need players who can embody your vision and who can transmit that vision to the rest of the squad. Xhaka is certainly one of those for Arteta and is viewed as an important part of the squad.

“I would be stunned if Xhaka left this summer. It’s never impossible but I expect him to be there next season and I think the club do as well. They have anticipated buying a central midfielder on top of that as well.

“I think maybe next summer is when they would think about moving Xhaka on.”

Xhaka’s presence at Arsenal has attracted plenty of headlines and he will always bring about debate and conjecture while he is there.

Zinchenko could well take his spot in the side as the left-footed central midfielder, but the former Manchester City man may also need to offer cover at left-back.

Xhaka is 100 per cent committed and has come through some tough times at Arsenal, but the feeling persists that they will need to move on from him sooner rather than later to really challenge this country’s top clubs.