Granit Xhaka Set to Complete Move to Bayer Leverkusen in £21.5 Million Deal
After months of negotiations, Granit Xhaka is finally set to complete his move from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen. The Swiss international midfielder, who only has one year left on his contract with Arsenal, will sign a long-term contract with Leverkusen. The deal, worth £21.5 million, also includes the possibility of a future coaching role with the Bundesliga club.
This transfer represents a major success for Arsenal, as they are making a conscious effort to recoup serious money in the transfer market. In recent years, the club has been forced to accept cut-price fees for surplus players. However, Leverkusen initially hoped to sign Xhaka for around £12 million but had to raise their offer reluctantly.
Xhaka joined Arsenal from Borussia Moenchengladbach in 2016 for a fee of £30 million. His departure will not only bring in a significant transfer fee but also clear £7.5 million off the club’s annual wage bill. This move is part of Mikel Arteta’s major summer overhaul, as he aims to reshape the squad and balance the books.
In addition to Xhaka’s departure, Arsenal is also facing uncertainty with unsettled striker Folarin Balogun. The club has set an asking price of £50 million for the young forward, whose value has soared after an impressive loan spell at Reims last season. Balogun has attracted interest from clubs across Europe, but Arsenal’s demands could prove to be a stumbling block for his potential suitors.
Arteta has been told that the club needs to generate transfer fees for other squad players as well, including Nicolas Pepe, Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares, and Cedric Soares. These players are expected to leave the club this summer, and their departures will help Arsenal balance the books and comply with financial fair play regulations.
Despite the need to sell players, Arsenal has been active in the transfer market, securing the signings of Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65 million. The club is also committed to further investments, with negotiations ongoing for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber. A club record fee has been agreed for Rice, but the payment plan is still being discussed with West Ham. Arsenal hopes to spread the payments over five years, while West Ham wants the money within 18 months. Both parties are confident that a compromise will be reached before Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the US begins on July 16.
Meanwhile, an agreement for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is expected to be concluded within the next week. The 22-year-old Dutch international is earmarked to be Arteta’s first-choice right-back in the upcoming season.
Overall, Arsenal’s transfer activity this summer reflects their commitment to rebuilding the squad and achieving financial stability. The sale of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen for £21.5 million is a significant step in this direction, and the club’s willingness to hold firm on their asking price for Folarin Balogun demonstrates their determination to secure fair deals for their players. As negotiations continue for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal fans can expect further developments in the coming weeks as Arteta shapes his squad for the new season.