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Granit Xhaka is set to leave Arsenal this summer, and return to the Bundesliga, with Bayer Leverkusen in advanced talks to sign the Swiss midfielder.
Xhaka has been enjoying arguably his best season in a Gunners’ shirt, playing in a more advanced role where he does not have so many defensive duties.
The club vice-captain, he still has one year left on his current deal at the Emirates, but, although there were some indications that he might be offered an extension earlier in the season, these have failed to materialise.
He will be 31 in September and Bayer are prepared to offer him a four year deal, something that he would never get in North London.
Whilst some fans may argue that the £13 million apparently offered for him is relatively cheap, it is also recognised that he has been a good servant for the club, and that if the money can be used to boost Mikel Arteta’s summer transfer budget, then it would be wrong to stand in his way.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.