Arsenal ‘agree £21.5m deal’ for 120k per week midfield star

Arsenal are finally closing in on the sale of Granit Xhaka this summer, it has been reported, with a move to Bayer Leverkusen in its final stages.

It had been widely reported that a move was imminent towards the end of last season, and Xhaka himself appeared to hint that he would be departing the Emirates Stadium after seven years with the club, having finally helped them back into the Champions League.

In the aftermath of the season, however, reports suggested that a u-turn could be on the cards, and that Arsenal were holding out for more than the £13m which had initially been tabled by German side Bayer Leverkusen in a bid to land the Swiss star.

London, UK. 14th Aug, 2022. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka (L) celebrates after scoring the third goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City in London, Britain, on Aug. 13, 2022. Arsenal won 4-2. Credit: Xinhua/Alamy Live News 2JNTRBG London, UK. 14th Aug, 2022. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka (L) celebrates after scoring the third goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City in London, Britain, on Aug. 13, 2022. Arsenal won 4-2. Credit: Xinhua/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

Now though, Football.London report that a deal is in the final stages of being struck, with Arsenal set to net an impressive £21.5m for their midfield general, a massive improvement on the initial offer.

The 30-year-old played a massive part in Arsenal’s title charge last season, scoring nine goals and grabbing seven assists from midfield in a position that saw him revolutionised in north London.

Down to the final year of his contract, he has become a cult figure at the club after an incredible turnaround from several years ago, where he was booed off the pitch against Crystal Palace in 2019.

Arsenal may have already secured their replacement for the Swiss, with Kai Havertz having been signed from Chelsea in a deal worth £65m, while Emile Smith Rowe is also keen to make that position his own in the months to come after an injury-hit campaign last time out.

Xhaka is not expected to be the only departure this summer, with all of Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe, Sambi Lokonga, Kieran Tierney, Folarin Balogun and Rob Holding likely to leave the club too in yet another clearout by Mikel Arteta.