Jose Mourinho ‘desperate to sign Granit Xhaka this summer’ despite failing to get him last year

Jose Mourinho will step up his efforts to sign Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka this summer. 

The Roma boss remains desperate to sign the 29-year-old, according to Calcio Mercato, and Xhaka is still at the top of Mourinho’s transfer wishlist. 

Xhaka has had a turbulent career at Arsenal, and things looked to be coming to a close last summer when his move to Roma appeared all but complete. 

Jose Mourinho (left) is still very keen to sign Granit Xhaka (right) from Arsenal this summer

Xhaka was set to move to Roma last year but the Serie A side didn’t meet Arsenal’s asking price

But the Giallorossi failed to meeting Arsenal asking price for Xhaka and the deal went cold, with the Swiss midfielder signing a new contract in north London. 

The setback has left Mourinho undeterred, however, and he is said to be a long-time admirer of Xhaka.   

Mourinho said 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.

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

Xhaka himself is reportedly still keen on a move to the Stadio Olimpico at the end of the season

Xhaka responded to Mourinho’s comments, admitting he is ‘proud’ of the praise but committed himself to Arsenal for the current season.

Former captain Xhaka has remained an integral part of Arsenal’s team, making 10 appearances for the Gunners so far this season, though his campaign has been disrupted by an ACL injury sustained in September as well as disciplinary problems.

Yet despite starring recently for Mikel Arteta’s side in a more advanced midfield role, Xhaka is said to still be keen on a switch to the Stadio Olimpico.

According to football.london, Xhaka is still keen on a move to Roma this summer despite there being no contact between the Serie A side and Xhaka since last summer.