Swiss international midfielder and Arsenal central figure Granit Xhaka looks set to close the book on his time in the Premier League, with a return to Germany on the cards under Xabi Alonso at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Reports from football insider Fabrizio Romano and others detail an impending move to the Bay Arena in the summer, rather than the Basel-born veteran seeing out the remainder of his contract in north London, with Die Werkself happy to part ways with €15m to secure their man.
Granit Xhaka, set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season. No negotiations over new deal and plan to part ways in June. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to sign him — €15m fee.
Understand personal terms are almost agreed over four year deal — June 2027. pic.twitter.com/0MlyJwNwhm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 16, 2023
Xhaka would sign on for four years in North-Rhine Westphalia as the German giants look to build on the fantastic rejuvenation under Alonso this season that saw the former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich midfielder take the club from 17th up to 7th and in with a chance of qualifying for Europe after what was their worst start to a domestic campaign in four decades.
From an Arsenal perspective, the loss of Xhaka is a massive one. It is true that his level of consistent performances and near-perfect fitness was invaluable to Mikel Arteta and his club colleagues, but even more so, what Xhaka brought off the pitch and in the dressing room is borderline irreplaceable.
There are many fans who once were adamant that the former Borussia Mönchengladbach standout needed to be jettisoned after that night against Crystal Palace, where Xhaka was judged to have taken off his top and thrown it to the ground after being subbed off while gesticulating at certain sections of the fanbase.
But not only did Xhaka resuscitate his image in the team and with leadership, but he has also gone on to endear himself to those same fans who once berated him at every turn for much of his stint with the club up to that point.
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