Granit Xhaka is poised to depart from the Emirates Stadium after a tumultuous spell of nearly eight years.
Granit Xhaka’s tenure at the Emirates Stadium is nearing its end after an eventful and often controversial eight-year stint. Following his remarkable display over the weekend, which included a brace and seven assists, a significant number of Arsenal supporters were convinced that they had witnessed Xhaka’s farewell performance in the club’s iconic jersey. Consequently, an outpouring of farewell messages ensued.
While it was widely anticipated that Xhaka would soon be unveiled as a Bayer Leverkusen player, with the German club expressing strong interest in acquiring his services, an intriguing claim by the reputable German football website Kicker has cast doubt on the proposed deal.
According to Kicker , Arsenal has yet to engage in any discussions regarding Xhaka’s departure with Bayer Leverkusen or any other interested clubs.
The report suggests that the Gunners could demand a fee of at least €15 million to sanction the transfer of the Swiss international. Moreover, Arsenal seemingly intends to secure a suitable replacement before allowing Xhaka to leave. The London-based club is keen on bolstering their midfield options and is determined to identify trustworthy alternatives prior to parting ways with one of their key midfielders.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the transfer negotiations, it appears highly unlikely that Xhaka will be donning the Arsenal jersey next season. Manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly expressed interest in securing the services of esteemed midfielders such as Ilkay Gundogan, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, and Moises Caicedo. These players possess the potential to facilitate the team’s transition and help them move on from the Xhaka era.