Borussia Monchengladbach might have been stunned by the low nature of Arsenal's offer for their captain Granit Xhaka, but the Bundesliga side are weighing up replacements for the midfielder.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to snap Xhaka up, but has offered just €25m for a player Gladbach value at the €50m mark, meaning there is serious work to be done if the Switzerland star is to move to north London.
But in a sign Gladbach are prepared to lose Xhaka, they have been weighing up replacements for the midfielder and according to German daily Bild, have settled on Bayern Munich's Sebastian Rode.
Rode has struggled to make an impact at the Allianz Arena this season, seeing his campaign disrupted by injury.
The defensive midfielder clocked up just 15 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, scoring once and providing his team-mates with a single assist.
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But Gladbach believe Rode would be the perfect replacement for Xhaka, as they actively plan for life without the Swiss star.
Gladbach managed a finish of fourth in the Bundesliga this season, meaning they have Champions League football on the agenda next term.
And if Xhaka does move to Arsenal, he could end up going head to head with his old club.
