Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners Targeting FC Basel Youngster Xherdan Shaqiri?

English Premier League club Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Swiss Super League champions FC Basel's Albanian-born winger, Xherdan Shaqiri, ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Gunners' boss, Arsene Wenger, who sent scouts out to Switzerland to monitor the youngster, has clearly been impressed with the reports he has received so far.

Shaqiri, 20, played a major role in Basel's back-to-back title success in the domestic league and has shown enough maturity in the team's European campaign, so far. In addition, he is also a regular with the Swiss national team. Wenger, it seems, is now ready to spend to lure the player to the Emirates.

The English club, who have also been linked with high profile youngsters such as Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze and Lille's Eden Hazard over the past few months, may feel it better to spend on Shaqiri, who could be cost-effective option, compared to the other two.

Wenger, who is usually criticized for not spending much during transfer seasons, knows the player will cost less, as he lacks top league experience and, in any case, his own club will be earning transfer revenue with the sale of under-performing players like Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner, Russia's Andrey Arshavin, Mexican Carlos Vela and Moroccan Marouane Chamakh.

Shaqiri has also attracted attention from AC Milan and Real Madrid, according to a Caughtoffside report.

Xherdan Shaqiri, who made his international debut with the Swiss team in 2010, in a friendly against Uruguay, has made 110 appearances for Basel and has also managed to find the back of the net 18 times.