Bayer Leverkusen will move for Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka once the Gunners have tied up a deal for Declan Rice.
That’s according to BILD, who say that as soon as Rice moves to the Emirates, Arsenal are ‘likely to sell’ Xhaka and Leverkusen are waiting for that moment to get him.
They’ve been targeting the Switzerland star for several weeks as Xabi Alonso plans to overhaul his squad for next season.
Numerous reports from Germany had indicated that a deal was done, although Arsenal wanted a replacement in before letting one of Mikel Arteta’s key men depart.
That domino is Rice, who appears to be on his way to Arsenal from London rivals West Ham in a deal worth just under €120m.
Once that is over the line, the belief is that they will look to sell Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen and a fee of around €15m is ‘being considered’.
The German side want Xhaka to form part of a new ‘management duo’ under Alonso at the club alongside Alejandro Grimaldo, who is arriving on a free transfer from Benfica.
The pair have been targeted for their experience and knowhow, something the Leverkusen boss and those above him believe was missing from the squad this season and ultimately led to something of a disappointing end to the campaign for them.
