Granit Xhaka set for summer Arsenal exit with German giants keen on signing him

Granit Xhaka wants to seek a new challenge this summer and is expected to leave Arsenal, LondonWorld can confirm.

The 30-year-old has a contract with the Gunners until 2024 but manager Mikel Arteta is expected to sanction Xhaka’s departure if an adequate bid is received in the region of £15million.

Xhaka has resurrected his Arsenal career under Arteta on several occasions after being booed off the pitch by fans in 2019, becoming a key player at the heart of midfield for the Spaniard this season.

“There was one guy, his name is Mikel Arteta,” Xhaka said.

“I will always support him, it doesn’t matter what happens. Without him, I am 100 per cent sure I would not be in the club anymore.

“He knows that, I have a very good and honest relationship with him. It doesn’t matter what happens on the pitch, I will never ever be against him or say something against him.

“He deserves my respect, but the respect from my family as well. I was gone. I did not want to wear the shirt anymore. He gave me the feeling to do it again.”

German giants Bayer Leverkusen have already expressed interest in signing Xhaka, who has 14 goal contributions this season, and remains keen on returning to the Bundesliga.

Arsenal want to sign at least two central midfielders this summer with Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo at the top of their shortlist.

Rice is valued at over £100million by West Ham although there is belief that a deal can be done at a figure nearer to £90million.

Brighton midfielder Caicedo was subject of a bid from Arsenal in January before he signed a new long-term contract when the transfer window closed.

His agent recently told LondonWorld that Caicedo has ambitions of playing for a club who are competing in the Champions League.

“Moises is very happy playing in Premier League as he is now, but let’s see what happens in summer,” Manuel Sierra told LondonWorld.

“He wants to play in the best clubs of the world and to keep playing the best competitions of the world like Champions League, World Cup and in my role I’ll try to support him in all what he needs as I try to do with all my players.”

Meanwhile, several players are expected to depart Emirates Stadium this summer with the likes of Kieran Tierney and Reiss Nelson attracting interest from multiple clubs.

Tierney is a priority signing at left back for Newcastle, while Nelson has turned down the offer of a contract extension with his current deal expiring at the end of June.