Roma 'confident of snapping-up Xhaka with him keen to link-up with Mourinho'

A former Arsenal captain looks set to join the crew of north London escapees this summer, with Granit Xhaka reportedly pining for a move to Jose Mourinho's Roma.

David Luiz was the first to announce his exit after the Gunners completed their season in eighth, with Willian, Hector Bellerin and Bernd Leno among others understood to be looking for a way out.

Xhaka has been a key man in Mikel Arteta's woeful Arsenal side this season but doesn't fancy sticking to see-out the Spaniard's 'process'. The Swiss midfielder is excited by the prospect of playing under Mourinho instead.

Roma have opened talks with the player and are feeling confident they'll sign Xhaka this summer, according to Football London – hoping to get the deal done before Euro 2020 kicks-off next month.

The Gunners are setting the starting price at £20m, with the 28-year-old set to leave the Emirates two years before his contract expires.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Mourinho wants Xhaka in his squad for next season, who fits the mould of a midfielder the former Spurs boss likes.

Despite explosive fall-outs with the fans, a long line of embarrassing mistakes and the Swiss star being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in November 2019, he is seen as a leader in the dressing room.

At his best, Xhaka can sent thunder-strikes into the top-corner, spray long-balls across the pitch and set a tempo from deep, but he's been too inconsistent across 220 appearances in red and white.

Mourinho has been a long-term admirer, embracing the midfielder after Spurs' second north London derby victory over their rivals this season, and praised him back in 2019.

'Xhaka is the main man in the entire Arsenal midfield, you can't see it unless I lend you one of my eyes,' the former Chelsea boss said.

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