Bayern Leverkusen are going to try their luck with a cheeky loan offer for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, claims a report.
The Switzerland international’s future is far from assured at The Emirates. The 29-year-0ld almost left the club for Roma after Euro 2020 last summer.
In fact Roma boss Jose Mourinho was desperate to sign the combative midfielder, but the Serie A club could not agree a fee with the Gunners.
Instead Xhaka, who was impressive at the Euros, signed a new deal with the north London club until at least 2024 with the option for a further year.
And now Bundesliga side Leverkusen are planning a move for Xhaka as they prepare for Champions League football next season. Xhaka did have a superb four-year spell with Borussia Monchengladbach before he arrived at Arsenal for £35m in 2016.
Reporter Ekrem Konur has claimed that Bayern Leverkusen are preparing a loan bid with a permanent transfer option.
That would certainly seem like a long-shot from on the German club’s part.
It’s hard to see what benefit Arsenal and Mikel Arteta would get from that deal. Arsenal are looking to generate some revenue to reinvest in their squad and waiting 12 months for a permanent transfer fee is unlikely to have Edu jumping for joy.
Youri Tielemans and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have been mentioned as midfield targets for Arsenal.
Whether or not Arteta has decided to move Xhaka on remains to be seen. He did have a change of heart over the star’s future last summer.
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And his comments over Xhaka’s rant after the shock defeat to Newcastle were somewhat guarded.
“You have to ask him exactly what he meant or who he was pointing at,” added Arteta.
“I prefer not to comment too much but when you allow people to speak in front of the media, you have to allow them to say what they feel. Unquestionably, knowing Granit, that’s what he felt.”
Xhaka insisted the players simply did not do what Arteta and his staff ordered in the 2-0 loss.