Granit Xhaka is in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a £13m move to the club with the midfielder expected to leave Arsenal this summer.
Xhaka has been a key figure in Arsenal’s challenge for the Premier League title this season, but is expected to leave at the end of the season as the Gunners reshape their squad ahead of a Champions League return.
According to the Times, the Switzerland international is in talks with Leverkusen over a return to the Bundesliga, having spent four seasons at Borussia Monchengladbach before his £30m move to Arsenal in 2016.
The 30-year-old has since had a rollercoaster ride at Arsenal, but will depart this summer as a fans’ favourite. His performances this season have helped repair his relationship with the club’s supporters, following a public fall-out with the fans that saw him stripped of the captaincy under former manager Unai Emery.
Xhaka’s expected exit comes as Arsenal prepare for significant additions in midfield. Declan Rice is the club’s leading transfer target for the summer and the West Ham captain will cost in excess of £80m, while Arsenal retain interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo after an approach was rejected in January.
Further sales are anticipated as the Gunners look to bring in additional transfer funds, with loanees Nicolas Pepe, Folarin Balogun, Cedric Soares, Ainsley Maintland-Niles and Nuno Tavares among those set to leave.
Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Emile Smith Rowe could also move on in search of more regular first-team football.
