Granit Xhaka set for Bayer Leverkusen move

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is closing in on a move to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, according to Evening Standard.

Per the report, Arsenal and Leverkusen are in advanced talks over a potential deal for Xhaka, who is expected to command a transfer fee of around £13 million.

Xhaka has featured in all but one of his side’ 36 Premier League games this term and has been instrumental in Arsenal’s impressive campaign which sees them sit second in the standings.

The 30-year-old Switzerland international looked to be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium a few years ago after falling out with a vast majority of the Arsenal supporters but he has since recovered to establish himself as a first-team regular.

However, Xhaka’s seven-year stint in North London is set to come to an end as he prepares for a return to German football having previously played for Borussia Monchengladbach between 2012 and 2016.

As Arsenal brace themselves for the departure of Xhaka, Mikel Arteta’s men are expected to be active in the upcoming transfer window.

January target Moises Caicedo is still high on Arsenal’s shortlist and the Gunners are planning a sensational £170m swoop for Caicedo and West Ham United captain Declan Rice.

Following Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal’s title pursuit is all but over and their wait for a first league crown since 2004 is on the verge of rolling on for another year.

With Champions League football already secured, they will now be working towards bolstering their squad in the summer to help mount another title charge against a seemingly irrepressible Manchester City side.

However, Arsenal still have two games before the end of the current campaign with Saturday’s trip to the City ground to face off against Nottingham Forest preceding a final-day clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 14.