Bayer Leverkusen are ‘actually working’ on signing Arsenal star Granit Xhaka this summer, with it believed the Gunners are ‘not averse’ to letting him go.
That’s according to Sport 1, who say Arsenal would be willing to let the Switzerland international leave the Emirates if they can find a replacement for him.
The German outlet report that, according to their information, Leverkusen are ‘currently working’ on a move for Xhaka, as has also been reported in England.
They explain that there has already been speculation about Leverkusen’s interest in Xhaka in the past but there is hope it can happen this summer as Arsenal are, ‘in principle’ not against sanctioning his exit if they can find a successor.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moisés Caicedo is the man they have in their sights in this regard, although he is likely to prove to be expensive. The same goes for Declan Rice.
The interest from Leverkusen is there nonetheless, and he was a ‘big topic’ at the club last summer as well. He now has a ‘big advocate’ in the form of Xabi Alonso, who also has the ‘best contacts’ with Mikel Arteta as they both played alongside each other at Real Sociedad.
They have been ‘very good friends’ since and negotiations between the two ‘childhood friends’ should ‘in no way complicate’ a transfer.
Of course, it will depend on the price Arsenal want as he still has a year left on his deal and has been a key player under Arteta and if Xhaka wants to return to the Bundesliga, but the feeling from Sport 1 is that a deal is very much there to be done.
