Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka, although Sky Sports News HQ understand a deal has not been formally completed. Fred Warner Jersey . This is despite photos appearing to show Xhaka wearing an Arsenal shirt at the clubs London Colney training base, which have been circulating on social media over the past 24 hours.Sky sources understand a deal to take the 23-year-old to the Emirates Stadium will be completed over the next few days. Sky in Germany reported in March that Xhakas father had met with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Xhaka is contracted to Monchengladbach until 2019 after joining them four years ago from Basel. Xhaka has previously spoken about his desire to play in the Premier League He played the full 90 minutes in Switzerlands 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in March and is expected to feature prominently for his country at Euro 2016 this summer.In February, Xhaka, once dubbed the young Bastian Schweinsteiger by former Bayern Munich head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, told Sky in Germany he was keen on a move to the Premier League.I think everybody has a dream, he said. Everybody has a childhood dream and thats my childhood dream. If my dream comes true, it remains to be seen. At the moment I cannot say how realistic it is. Also See: Arsenal target Xhaka Xhaka dreams of Premier League Arsenal video Arsenal fixtures Arsenal stats Get a £10 free bet! San Francisco 49ers Gear .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. Jimmy Johnson Jersey . - The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent centre Brian de la Puente.INDIANAPOLIS -- Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti will drive the pace car in the 98th running of the Indy 500 in May. Franchitti was forced to retire in November from injuries suffered in an October IndyCar race at Houston. The four-time series champion won the Indy 500 in 2007, 2010 and 2012. "It is a tremendous honour for me to be asked to drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500," said Franchitti. "As a historian of motorsport and as a three-time winner of this great race, I will appreciate every minute of getting to pace the field. Although I wont be competing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, this will be as close as one person can get to the action." Franchitti will pace the field in the May 25 race in a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Its the eighth time a Camaro has served as the pace car, and the 25th time a Chevrolet has paced the race. "He is a true champion who has earned the respect and admiration of competitors and race fans alike," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice-president of performance vehicles and motorsports. &"It will be very special to have Dario lead the field to the green flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Matt Breida Jersey. " Franchittis appearance as the pace car driver signifies a huge shift in Franchittis career. Hes moved into a driver development role with Chip Ganassi Racing, which switched to Chevrolet for the 2014 IndyCar season. Chevrolet has a long history with Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race, and the Chevrolet brothers - company co-founder Louis, Arthur and Gaston - all competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920. "We are excited to see Dario Franchitti back at the Brickyard, where he has had a very successful driving career," said Doug Boles, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Not only will his appearance in the Camaro Z/28 pace car thrill race fans, it underscores Chevrolets important place in the past, present and future of the Indianapolis 500." ' ' '
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka, although Sky Sports News HQ understand a deal has not been formally completed. Fred Warner Jersey . This is despite photos appearing to show Xhaka wearing an Arsenal shirt at the clubs London Colney training base, which have been circulating on social media over the past 24 hours.Sky sources understand a deal to take the 23-year-old to the Emirates Stadium will be completed over the next few days. Sky in Germany reported in March that Xhakas father had met with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Xhaka is contracted to Monchengladbach until 2019 after joining them four years ago from Basel. Xhaka has previously spoken about his desire to play in the Premier League He played the full 90 minutes in Switzerlands 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in March and is expected to feature prominently for his country at Euro 2016 this summer.In February, Xhaka, once dubbed the young Bastian Schweinsteiger by former Bayern Munich head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, told Sky in Germany he was keen on a move to the Premier League.I think everybody has a dream, he said. Everybody has a childhood dream and thats my childhood dream. If my dream comes true, it remains to be seen. At the moment I cannot say how realistic it is. Also See: Arsenal target Xhaka Xhaka dreams of Premier League Arsenal video Arsenal fixtures Arsenal stats Get a £10 free bet! San Francisco 49ers Gear .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. Jimmy Johnson Jersey . - The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent centre Brian de la Puente.INDIANAPOLIS -- Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti will drive the pace car in the 98th running of the Indy 500 in May. Franchitti was forced to retire in November from injuries suffered in an October IndyCar race at Houston. The four-time series champion won the Indy 500 in 2007, 2010 and 2012. "It is a tremendous honour for me to be asked to drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500," said Franchitti. "As a historian of motorsport and as a three-time winner of this great race, I will appreciate every minute of getting to pace the field. Although I wont be competing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, this will be as close as one person can get to the action." Franchitti will pace the field in the May 25 race in a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Its the eighth time a Camaro has served as the pace car, and the 25th time a Chevrolet has paced the race. "He is a true champion who has earned the respect and admiration of competitors and race fans alike," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice-president of performance vehicles and motorsports. &"It will be very special to have Dario lead the field to the green flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Matt Breida Jersey. " Franchittis appearance as the pace car driver signifies a huge shift in Franchittis career. Hes moved into a driver development role with Chip Ganassi Racing, which switched to Chevrolet for the 2014 IndyCar season. Chevrolet has a long history with Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race, and the Chevrolet brothers - company co-founder Louis, Arthur and Gaston - all competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920. "We are excited to see Dario Franchitti back at the Brickyard, where he has had a very successful driving career," said Doug Boles, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Not only will his appearance in the Camaro Z/28 pace car thrill race fans, it underscores Chevrolets important place in the past, present and future of the Indianapolis 500." ' ' '