Former Arsenal ace Granit Xhaka was ‘offered’ to Borussia Dortmund before the one-time Premier League playmaker joined Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen instead.
And the Swiss international’s outstanding performances under Xabi Alonso at the Bay Arena certainly raise the suggestion that Dortmund’s loss is Leverkusen’s gain. Granit Xhaka’s vast experience and technical quality is a major reason why Alonso’s outstanding side are top of the table heading into the October international break, winning six and drawing one of their seven Bundesliga games thus far.
Dortmund, according to BILD, were ‘offered’ the chance to sign Xhaka too when Arsenal decided to move on from one of their longest-serving players over the summer. The financial package soon had the BVB bosses running for the hills, however, while last season’s runners-up also had reservations about stumping up £13 million for a 31-year-old with little-to-no re-sale value.
Dortmund instead went for the younger option that was Wolfsburg’s Felix Nmecha. But, with Nmecha enduring a sluggish start to life on the banks of the Ruhr, an inconsistent, unconvincing Dortmund outfit may already be counting the cost of letting the balance sheet and the prospects of ‘net profit’ rule their transfer strategy.
Dortmund turned down Granit Xhaka from Arsenal
“I have the privilege of wearing the captain’s armband,” beams Leverkusen skipper Lukas Hradecky (Kicker). “But, with Granit, I don’t have to be the only one who talks.
“I have to share this task with him, and that also makes my job easier. He’s just a leader. He takes on a lot of responsibility.
“(Xhaka) brings enormous composure into the game, sometimes with just a small pass. His influence is huge, both in the dressing room and in the locker room.”
Leverkusen top of the Bundesliga
Dortmund reportedly turned down the chance to sign Xhaka’s Leverkusen team-mate Victor Boniface too, instead keeping the faith with Sebastien Haller.
Haller still does not have a single Bundesliga goal to his name in 2023/24. Boniface, in contrast, is already on seven.
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