Bayer Leverkusen star Granit Xhaka has admitted he nearly swapped Arsenal for AS Roma last year but is kind of glad that never happened.
The midfielder has been speaking to Tuttomercatoweb about how close he came to moving to Serie A.
The midfielder eventually left Arsenal last summer, joining Bayer Leverkusen and bringing his rollercoaster ride with the Gunners to an end.
The move back to Germany has certainly proven to be a smart one as he’s established himself as a key player in Xabi Alonso’s title winning, Europa League chasing side that are currently unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Things could have been very different for him, though, as he had spent the summer of 2022 also being linked with a move away from the Emirates.
That year it was Roma, and Jose Mourinho, who were keen on a deal taking place, something Xhaka is more than happy to admit to.
“There’s nothing to hide, I was very close, but it didn’t happen because of small details,” he said.
“Sometimes things happen, sometimes they don’t. I’m happy to be at Leverkusen and with the way things are going.
“I’m lucky about one thing. I played in Germany years ago and then in the Premier League, but I don’t like to compare the various leagues. They have strengths and weaknesses. The present today is Bayer and I’m very happy.”
