BAYER LEVERKUSEN’S chances of signing Granit Xhaka have reportedly received a huge boost.
We reported yesterday how the Arsenal midfielder has been offered the chance to return to Germany’s Bundesliga.
And Gunners 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, leaving Swiss ace Xhaka facing the prospect of seeing out the final year of his deal on the subs’ bench.
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Now Blick is reporting that the ex-Gladbach ace’s wife, Leonita Xhaka, wants to move back to Germany.
And that she could help her convince her husband to make the move at the end of the campaign.
And that could help set up a deal for Arsenal with Leverkusen for winger Moussa Diaby.
The Gunners are battling with Newcastle, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain for the £50m-rated 23-year-old France international.
Now Diaby’s chances of a switch to the Premier League appear to have increased with this fresh update in the German media.
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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.
But he is currently enjoying his best spell since his arrival in North London.
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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