Granit Xhaka is set to become the first of several summer exits at Arsenal in what could prove to be the most ruthless transfer window of Mikel Arteta’s regime.
Bayer Leverkusen are now close to finalising a £13million deal for the Swiss international midfielder, who will finally depart the Emirates Stadium after seven years of service to the Gunners following his £30m move from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016.
Sources had disclosed to Express Sport last week that Xhaka’s exit was looking highly probable despite his integral involvement this season having featured in all but one of Arsenal’s 36 Premier League matches – shining in an advanced midfield role.
Leverkusen have pounced early to beat rival suitors for the 30-year-old’s signature as the Bundesliga side look to add some extra steel and experience to bolster their exciting young squad, which has shown signs of huge promise in the second half of the season, ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s managing director, is seemingly optimistic that a fast and ambitious start to the club’s summer transfer business could maximise his chances of keeping highly-coveted coach Xabi Alonso having already wrapped up the signing of Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo.
Xhaka, who had a verbal agreement to join Hertha Berlin in December 2019 and came agonising close to joining Roma in the summer of 2021, is understood to have been enchanted by Leverkusen’s ambitious project and will now leave Arsenal with his legacy well and truly intact following a remarkable turnaround under Arteta after becoming central to his rebuild.
There is also a sense that smooth relations between Arsenal and Leverkusen in respect to the Xhaka deal could benefit the Gunners this summer should they wish to launch a move for winger Moussa Diaby, a player of firm admiration in north London.
A key factor in Xhaka’s decision to leave Arsenal was that his involvement was likely to become limited next season with Arsenal set to pursue a mega-money swoop for West Ham captain Declan Rice, now quickly approaching the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium.
