Roma want to sign Granit Xhaka this summer with Arsenal open to letting the Swiss midfielder leave, football.london understands.
It is understood that the Italian giants will come back in for the Switzerland international at the end of the season having failed to tempt him to the Stadio Olimpico last summer.
Xhaka looked all set to leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the 2020/21 campaign as Mikel Arteta began an overhaul of his Gunners squad.
But an impressive display at Euro 2020, as he helped Switzerland beat favourites France to reach the quarter finals, tempted the club into offering him a new one-year extension until 2024, which he signed in August.
Part of triggering Xhaka's extension was a view held by the club that they should protect his market value. Mourinho took over the reins in Roma at the start of the season and has set his sights on Xhaka once again.
Following a recent loss against Juventus, Mourinho slammed his side for their attitude in the defeat.
He said: "When we allowed them back in for 3-2, a team with a strong mentality like Juventus, a strong character. The fear set in. A psychological complex. It's not a problem for me having 3-2, it's a problem for them. For my team.
"At the end of the day, when you're in the [expletive] you get back on your feet and find your character. But there are people in this locker room who are a bit too nice, a bit too weak."
Xhaka is not the only Arsenal midfielder who could leave this summer though.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is already on loan at Roma and could join the club permanently in the summer.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Elneny is being targeted by several European clubs after his impressive performances for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Elneny's contract expires in the summer and he has previously been the subject of approaches from Turkish teams Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
The Gunners will be on the lookout for new midfielders this summer as Arteta attempts to complete an overhaul of the squad he first inherited two years ago.
Albert Sambi Lokonga could also see his opportunities increased with the potential departure of Xhaka, while youngster Charlie Patino may be sent out on loan in a bid to fast-track his development into the first team.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is expected to complete his squad overhaul this summer with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah also both set to depart.
