Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks to sign for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, football.london understands.
The Swiss international has spent the last seven years in north London after joining the club from Borussia Monchengladbach but he now appears on the brink of a return to the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen look set complete the move in a £21.5million deal, which will see Xhaka sign a contract until 2027. His exit being sanctioned hints at the possibility of Arsenal signing two midfielders in the summer window, given the 30-year-old's major impact on the first team this season.
With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest news surrounding Xhaka's seemingly inevitable Arsenal exit.
Final deal
Granit Xhaka is closing in on a £21.5 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, football.london understands. Reports had previously suggested that the Swiss international was set join Xabi Alonso's side for a fee in the region of £13m. Now though, it is thought that the two clubs are thought to have agreed a €25million [£21.5million] fee that will see the 30-year-old secure a return to the Bundesliga.
Arteta on Xhaka exit
Mikel Arteta has broken his silence on talk surrounding a departure for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. In his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference, Arteta said: "The clarity is there. He is a player that has played I think every minute since I have been the manager. He is an incredibly respected figure at the club.
"He has a great story around him with what he has achieved at the club in going through very tough moments and he is a key and very important part of us. Whatever happens is something we will discuss, certainly not now."
Final stages of deal
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided further details on Granit Xhaka's summer move from Arsenal to Bayer Leverskusen.
Fellow German outfit Borussia Dortmund are said to not be in the race with the deal for Leverkusen "very, very advanced" and at the "final stages".
Advanced talks
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks to sign for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, football.london understands
The 30-year-old Swiss international had recently been linked with a surprising summer exit given the Gunners' lack of depth in midfield. German outfit Bayer Leverkusen were the main club linked to signing Xhaka with manager Xabi Alonso very keen on the move.
A transfer to Leverkusen is now on the verge of being completed which would see Xhaka sign for a €15million (£13million) deal and sign a contract until 2027.
Arsenal exit
Granit Xhaka is set to leave the Guinners in the sumemr transfer window as he seeks a new challenge elsewhere. That is according to London World, who report the Swiss will leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen are the club most heavily linked with a move and Mikel Arteta is understood to be willing to let him go with just one year remaining on his contract, should a satisfactory offer come in.
Xhaka's exit would pave the way for either Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo to join Arsenal this summer too, with both midfielders high priorities for the club.
Leverkusen talks
According to German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg, Leverkusen are still pushing to prise Xhaka away from north London. Writing on Twitter, Plettenberg said: "News #Xhaka: Leverkusen is still pushing to sign him! It’s looking very good.
"(Xabi) Alonso wants him as a top leader. Understand that Xhaka wants to take on another challenge this summer. But he’s totally focused on @Arsenal now. Price valuation of around €15m (£13 million). No negotiations between the clubs yet. @SkySportDE (Swiss flag emoji)."
Arteta claim
Mikel Arteta was probed on Xhaka's future at the club and whether a stay was possible or if a move was on the horizon. When asked about a new contract, he said: "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."
As for reports on a move away, he added: "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."
Transfer value
With Arsenal potentially looking to move on Xhaka in the summer transfer window, any funds raised from such a deal would be crucial to reinvest. According to CIES Football Observatory, the 30-year-old is currently valued at £26million in the market, though it remains to be seen which price the Gunners may set.
Exit claims
Granit Xhaka continues to be linked with an exit from Arsenal as 90Min claims that Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are eyeing a switch. On top of that, TalkSPORT reports that the midfielder is increasingly likely to leave as a new contract is unlikely to be agreed at this stage.
