Granit Xhaka is proud to hear of interest from new Roma coach Jose Mourinho, but the Arsenal midfielder insists his focus is solely on Euro 2020.
Former Tottenham manager Mourinho was appointed as Paulo Fonseca s replacement at Roma shortly after he was dismissed by Spurs in April, with his contract starting ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
Yet speculation is already rife that Xhaka, Arsenal s former club captain, is one of Mourinho s priority transfer targets.
Xhaka has spent five seasons at Arsenal since joining from Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach, though the Switzerland international has not always been a popular figure with the club s fanbase.
Nevertheless, he has featured consistently in the first team under Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, and the 28-year-old – who played more minutes in all competitions last season than any other Arsenal outfield player – still has two years left to run on his contract.
Xhaka is already with the Switzerland squad as they prepare for Euro 2020, and pressed on his future, he told Swiss-German publication Blick: Of course I read the rumours too. But now I m one hundred per cent focused on the national team.
That s more important than Arsenal or rumours right now. I still have a two-year contract in London, and at Arsenal they know what they have got in me. When the time comes and we can, and may have to talk about a transfer, I ll be there.
Asked to comment on what Mourinho s reported interest means to him, Xhaka added: Honestly, I didn t hear what Mourinho said, but that makes you proud.
Everyone knows Mourinho, knows what he has achieved. Mourinho knows how to win titles. You can now see what work I have done over the past few years.
