Arsenal are anticipating a midfield shuffle in the summer. Granit Xhaka is set to leave the club and join Bayer Leverkusen on a four-year deal. The Swiss international has agreed a move to the Bundesliga, and only the details need to be sorted out between the two clubs to finalise the transfer.
A sum worth €15 million is being rumoured for the player, and the deal will be completed early in the transfer window.
Arsenal trying to sign Declan Rice to replace Granit Xhaka this summer
The Gunners have identified Rice as their priority target in midfield this summer and are preparing an opening bid for him. The West Ham United captain has a good chance of leaving the club this summer, with European qualification eluding them unless they win the Europa Conference League finals.
While the Hammers would play in the Europa League if they win, a move to Arsenal will see him play in the Champions League. And it will undoubtedly be a step up for him.
Arsenal have been linked with numerous midfielders over the past few months. They had a failed attempt at signing Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in the winter, and are now being linked with Mason Mount and Ilkay Gundogan as well.
It will be interesting to see if Rice actually replaces Granit Xhaka at the club, since he will be able to provide much more defensive cover if he comes in. Questions over Mount and Gundogan’s future still remain unanswered, and a switch to Arsenal could be on the cards for both of them.
