Arsenal transfer news: Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly in advanced to talks to sign Granit Xhaka
Recent rumours claim that Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal are in advanced negotiations about potential transfer for Granit Xhaka worth about £13 million. The Swiss international has been a member of Arsenal since 2016 and was set to enter the final year of his deal this summer. However, the Gunners are apparently looking to add two new players as they prepare to overhaul their midfield.
Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham, is their main target, while Mason Mount of Chelsea and Moises Caicedo of Brighton are also apparently on Arsenal’s radar.
Xhaka has experienced some difficulty throughout his tenure at Arsenal, most notably in 2019 when he lost his position as captain after yelling at supporters during a match against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The midfielder had reached a deal with Hertha Berlin and was prepared to go during the January transfer window.
However, following showdown discussions, Xhaka was convinced to stay by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who gets along well with Xhaka. In his greatest season to date at the club, Xhaka has remained and played a crucial role in helping Arsenal’s charge to second place in the league, scoring seven goals and only missing one Premier League game this season.
Despite Xhaka’s improved form, it appears that Arsenal is no longer interested in the midfielder. According to reports, the Arsenal team has given the go-ahead for Xhaka to depart, and his agent has already spoken with Richard Garlick, director of football operations, and Edu, sports director, at the club.
Xhaka was a target for Roma last summer, but Bayer Leverkusen currently appears to be in the front seat for his services. It is unclear if Xhaka will accept a transfer to the Bundesliga, but if he does, he would join a squad that placed third in the league last season and has a history of grooming young players.
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