Agent: Arsenal's Xhaka agrees to terms with Hertha Berlin

Granit Xhaka's agent says the embattled Arsenal midfielder has agreed to terms with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin ahead of a potential January transfer.

"Let's say it like it is: We have agreed terms with Hertha Berlin and would like to go there," Xhaka's agent, Jose Noguera, told Swiss outlet Blick, reports Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC.

"That's what we told Arsenal club boss Raul Sanllehi and sporting director Edu Gaspar, as well as the new manager Mikel Arteta."

Noguera's assertion comes a week after reports linked the 27-year-old midfielder with a Bundesliga return.

Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy earlier in the season following an outburst amid boos from Arsenal supporters against Crystal Palace. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was subsequently named captain by then-Gunners boss Unai Emery.

Despite Arteta's public praise of Xhaka, Noguera claims the Spanish tactician has privately told the player he is not part of Arsenal's plans moving forward. Arsenal reportedly hope to recoup part of the €45-million fee paid to lure Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.

Xhaka has appeared in 14 league matches for the north London side this season. Following a hiatus stemming from the incident versus Palace, the Swiss international has enjoyed a rich vein of form that includes standout performances against Everton and Bournemouth.

Hertha, who are managed by former United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann, currently sit 12th in Germany's top tier, just four points adrift of the relegation zone.