Arsenal to make Xhaka the new captain to fend off transfer interest from Atletico Madrid

ARSENAL could hand Granit Xhaka club captaincy in a bid to fend off transfer interest from Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish giants are braced to lose 22-year-old Rodri to Manchester City with the Premier League champions close to agreeing a record £62.5million deal.

Atletico chiefs registered interest in Xhaka as a replacement for Rodri, as well as Real Madrid’s Marcos Llorente.

A deal for Llorente to join Madrid rivals Atletico looked to have collapsed meaning interest in Xhaka increased.

However, last night it was announced the two Madrid clubs had reached an agreement with Llorente signing for £35million.

It has cooled off their interest in Swiss star Xhaka, though according to Gunners bosses are contemplating handing captaincy to the midfielder in a bid to keep him at the club.

Skipper Laurent Koscielny has been linked with a move away from the Emirates this season and the 33-year-old defender is valued at £10.6m.

Arsenal are looking to raise funds for a summer overhaul as vice-captain Petr Cech retired and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi all other potential casualties.

It is thought Xhaka, who has previously skippered his national side, is seen as a frontrunner to take over as captain due to his experience and value to the club.

The 26-year-old made 40 appearances last season under Unai Emery and showed his versatility by slotting in at centre-half and left-back throughout the campaign.