Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is in Germany for his Bayer Leverkusen medical as Bundesliga return edges closer
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is closing in on a return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in the ongoing summer transfer window. The Swiss international is currently in Leverkusen for his medical.
The 30-year-old was one of the driving forces behind the Gunners’ Premier League title charge last season. Alas, his ill-timed bravado against Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield more or less saw Mikel Arteta’s side throw away the momentum and fall away, eventually finishing second.
Xhaka arrived at The Emirates from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 and has since made 297 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 23 goals and assisting 29 more. While he has had his moments in red, the veteran never quite established himself as a consistent performer.
Granit Xhaka (30) has arrived in Germany for his medical check for his Transfer to Bayer Leverkusen @BILD_Sport @Arsenal
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) July 6, 2023
His exit from the north London giants was on the cards for a while now given that an agreement was reached with Leverkusen in May. With Declan Rice now edging closer to being announced as a Gunner, Xhaka too is ready to begin a new chapter in his career.
The Germans will pay Arsenal €25m for the 30-year-old, helping the Londoners recoup a decent fee for a player who isn’t getting any younger. Xhaka will pen a deal until 2028 at the BayArena and could thrive in his new home under Xabi Alonso.
Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk has confirmed via Twitter that the Swiss international is now in Germany to attend his medical. Unless there is a late twist in the tale, the Arsenal ace is expected to complete his checkups without a hitch.
Leverkusen are a team on the rise under Alonso but still lacks serious power to challenge the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for the German title. While Xhaka alone cannot shift the tide in Leverkusen’s favour, he will give them a reliable presence in the midfield and add more steel to a promising side.
A defensive midfielder, the veteran is largely reputed for losing his head on the pitch. Hopefully, age has made him wiser and he will be able to let his football do the talking for him at the Bundesliga giants.
