July 06, (THEWILL) – Swiss midfielder, Granit Xhaka, has completed a move from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.4m transfer.
Xhaka, who initially joined Arsenal in 2016 and briefly captained the team in 2019, had one year remaining on his contract but was widely expected to depart this summer. The 30-year-old has now signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga club. During his time at Arsenal, Xhaka scored 23 goals in 297 appearances, contributing to the club’s success in winning the FA Cup twice and finishing as Premier League runners-up last season.
Xhaka’s departure from Arsenal marks the end of his seven-year stint with the club, during which he experienced both highs and lows. Despite a turbulent relationship with some fans, which reached a peak in October 2019 when he admitted having decided to leave, Xhaka’s on-field performances witnessed a commendable redemption under manager Mikel Arteta.
Nonetheless, Xhaka’s desire for a fresh start prompted his decision to pursue new opportunities in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of finalising a significant deal to sign English midfielder, Declan Rice, from West Ham to effectively bolster their midfield options.
Rice’s potential arrival would provide such a boost to Arsenal’s midfield and offer manager Arteta a versatile and talented player. The Gunners are keen to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season, and securing Rice’s signature would represent a major step toward achieving their objectives both domestically and as they return to the UEFA Champions League once again.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
