Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has broken his silence surrounding reports claiming that Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are circling a potential move for Granit Xhaka. The midfielder has impressed in a season that has brought new life to his career at the Emirates Stadium.
In a change in direction with his system, Arteta has played the Switzerland international in a far more advanced position this campaign. Xhaka will often occupy the left of a 4-3-3, pushing forward to create five attackers across the opposition defence and wreaking chaos.
It's seen him return his best attacking numbers of his career, becoming yet another player who is a stalwart in the side. "Sometimes, you have to take players out of their comfort zone and open a different door to explore how the team will react to it, and what the opposition will do," Arteta explained when he first decided to make the tactical tweak.
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But with that newfound form in his position, naturally there have been some suitors that are looking to eye a potential switch in the summer transfer window. Reports have recently linked Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen with a switch as manager Xabi Alonso looks to refresh his side.
Arteta was asked about Xhaka's contract and replied: "Obviously where we are with each individual is probably different in terms of timing but the clarity is there. We have communicated to each of them what the intentions are and we are trying to get that done as quickly as possible but respecting and not losing any focus on what is the real deal right now."
That was then followed up with questions surrounding his future amid Leverkusen rumours, to which he responded: "As you can understand I'm not going to be replying to certain stories. 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."
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the midfielder, with the manager already suggesting a few weeks ago that some tough decisions will have to be made when it comes to transfers.
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