(Football news) Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly very close to signing Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. The 30-year-old has one year remaining on his current contract as the North London club have triggered his option to extend his contract by a further year but he was expecting a longer contract . The uncertainty in the Swiss international’s mind over his future has made Leverkusen capitalise by approaching him with an offer to be in the region of €15 million.
No deal is finalised but Xhaka it looks like he is ready to leave if Arsenal are not willing to offer him a longer-term contract with an increase on his current wages. Arsenal are looking to completely overhaul their midfield this summer and have made Declan Rice their number one target but the England international is likely to cost £100m or more. They were close to signing Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in the winter transfer as he is also another option under consideration.
It remains possible that Arsenal could try to sign two central midfielders in the summer at least after they lost the title race to Man City who look almost certain to win their fifth title in six seasons after the Gunners were beaten 3-0 at home by Brighton. Xhaka’s exit would mean that he will be replaced and opening the door for potential new arrivals but it would mark a very surprising end to his Arsenal career after being stripped of the captaincy under Unai Emery and only to re-establish himself as a key part of Arsenal this season
The Switzerland international is experiencing his best season in the Premier League and has scored seven goals and seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. However, the club have taken the decision not to not offer Xhaka a fresh new long term contract. Fabrizio Romano, he would rather move on in his career than see out the final year of his contract with the Gunners..
This month Arteta said of Xhaka: “I’m extremely happy with Granit, I think he is having an incredible season, probably the best season he has had at the club and we are really happy to have him.”
Also read: Inter book UCL final place with a 3-0 aggregate win over AC Milan
