Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly growing confident of signing Granit Xhaka from Arsenal this summer window.
The midfielder has been superb under Mikel Arteta this campaign, deployed in a more attacking position which has given him a new lease of life.
Despite Arsenal’s return to the Champions League, Xhaka is ready to leave the Gunners and return to the Bundesliga where he spent four years with Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 30-year-old’s contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2024 but there have been signs of progress being made and with Leverkusen ready to offer €15m the Gunners are ready to cash in to finance their summer rebuild.
According to Sky Germany, Xhaka’s desire to leave the Emirates is born out of his desire to take on a new challenge.
Leverkusen are now in seventh in the Bundesliga and are managed by former Real Madrid and Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso who wants Xhaka to take on a leadership role next season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are wasting no time plotting their own rebuild this summer with Mikel Arteta having been given the green light to pursue moves for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
Reports on Monday claimed Arsenal are preparing their opening bid for the West Ham skipper, while any move for the England international won’t prevent Arteta from making effort to sign Caicedo from Brighton.
Arsenal made two club-record offers for the Ecuador international in January only for the 22-year-old to sign a new contract having handed in a transfer request and threatened to go on strike.
Arteta is likely to target defensive cover, both at full-back and centre-half, a winger who can provide competition for Bukayo Saka, and striker who can act as a target man.
After Sunday’s defeat against Brighton, which ended their title hopes, Arteta hinted that changes will be made.
Arteta said: ‘If the team can show that face as well, there are things that have to be addressed. With the level required for the Premier League and Champions League, there’s a lot to think about.’
