GRANIT XHAKA has been offered the chance to return to Germany’s Bundesliga by Bayer Leverkusen.
And Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will not stand in his way if he wants to leave.
The midfielder, 30, has been a huge figure in the Gunners’ title bid.
And he is now adored by fans after his previous Emirates fallout.
But Arteta wants to sign £100million-rated West Ham skipper Declan Rice and another central midfielder this summer.
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That would leave Swiss Xhaka facing the prospect of seeing out the final year of his deal on the subs’ bench.
With Leverkusen willing to offer the former Borussia Monchengladbach man a long-term deal, he is tempted by the opportunity to extend his top-flight career.
It also throws up the prospect of Arsenal allowing Xhaka to leave for £15m.
And that could help set up a deal for Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
The Gunners are battling with Newcastle, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain for the £50m-rated 23-year-old France international.
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Xhaka, who cost £38.25m when he joined from Monchengladbach in 2016, was ready to quit the Gunners after being stripped of the captaincy by former boss Unai Emery in 2019 when he swore at fans while being substituted.
Arsenal have budgeted £100m for England star Rice.
And they are also looking at Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Chelsea’s Mason Mount as they plan for a return to the Champions League.
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