Granit Xhaka close to Bayer Leverkusen move for €25m

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth €25 million, The Athletic report.

The Switzerland international had a fantastic 2022/23 campaign with the Gunners. He excelled playing from an advanced central midfield role, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists from 47 games.

The 30-year-old was instrumental towards the club’s impressive second-place finish in the Premier League, but he has made his mind up to leave north London for a return to the German top-flight this summer.

Personal terms have already been agreed between Xhaka and Leverkusen, and it seems Arsenal have received a financial boost.

Earlier in May, it was reported that he could leave the Gunners in a deal worth €15m, but the hierarchy have done impressively well with The Athletic claiming that the club will receive around €25m for his exit.

€25m represents good business for the Gunners

Arsenal would have ideally preferred to keep Xhaka for another season at least, but the Swiss has asked to move on.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has granted him permission, and his departure could be confirmed following the club’s purchase of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice for a club-record fee.

€15m seemed a low figure for Xhaka after an impressive campaign, and sporting director Edu Gaspar needs to be lauded for getting another €10m out of Leverkusen for the midfielder’s exit.

Xhaka could be one of many players heading for the exit door this summer. After the huge spending spree, we could see several departures to compensate for some of the outlay made.

Folarin Balogun, Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are among candidates that could leave. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia could be signed as a replacement for Partey this summer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could confirm two transfer deals in the coming days. Rice is widely expected to arrive from West Ham while there is a verbal agreement in place to sign Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.

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