Granit Xhaka is ‘set to leave’ Premier League giants Arsenal this summer with Fabrizio Romano reporting that a return to the Bundesliga is close to being agreed for the Bayer Leverkusen target.
One of Arsenal’s star performers throughout 2022/23, news of the Swiss international’s departure is likely to be greeted with a degree of sadness by many in North London. Few players have walked through the fire quite like Granit Xhaka, after all, his Gunners career going a full 180 as villain became hero.
But, if Arsenal are serious about maintaining their rapid rate of progress under Mikel Arteta, a dash of ruthlessness is no bad thing. Xhaka is 30 years old. His contract expires in 2024.
And, in Declan Rice, Arsenal already appear to have identified a younger model to take his place, the West Ham skipper reportedly keen on a summer switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Is Granit Xhaka set to leave Arsenal for the Bundesliga?
According to Fabrizio Romano, Leverkusen will pay £13 million for their long-time target.
For a club who have faced plenty of criticism in recent times after letting a host of high-profile players leave for absolutely nothing – see Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhiyaryan and Shkodran Mustafi – £13 million is a fee not to be sniffed at for a 30-year-old due to become a free-agent in just over a years’ time.
Romano adds that Arsenal have held no discussions over a new deal for Xhaka. Talks with Leverkusen are now at an advanced stage. The one-time Borussia Monchengladbach talisman could sign a long-term deal until the summer of 2027.
That will keep him at the Bay Arena until the age of 34.
Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes, meanwhile, was intriguingly coy when asked about Xhaka last week.
“We are looking at the market to see what possibilities there are to improve our team,” he told BILD.
“I don’t want to comment on individual players. (But) there will be an upheaval in our team. We’re trying to bring in new ideas. We want to improve the team. Our ambitions won’t be lower next season.
“We will do good things in the summer and have a good team!”
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