Granit Xhaka will play his final game for Arsenal on Sunday, before finalising a move to Bayer Leverkusen next week, according to a report.

TOPSHOT - Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka and Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (R) celebrates their team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 7, 2023. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka and Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (R) celebrates their team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 7, 2023. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite hopes that Granit Xhaka would have sorted out his Arsenal exit before Sunday’s game against Bayer Leverkusen, it seems we may have to wait until next week for official confirmation of the move.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Xhaka is expected to play his final game as an Arsenal player this weekend, when the Gunners face Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

Romano writes that Xhaka will then complete his permanent exit to Bayer Leverkusen, with the final details of the transfer to be sorted next week.

The deal is already all-but-done and has been for a couple of weeks now, but it seems it won’t be finalised until after Sunday’s game.

German outlet SportBild report that Xhaka will complete his move in the next few days, signing with Leverkusen until 2027 for €15m (£13m).

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal fans and Xhaka himself were hoping to get the transfer confirmed this week, so the player could say a proper goodbye at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

With the deal yet to be made official, it may be difficult for the club to give Xhaka a send-off in the same way they might have done otherwise, but at least most of the fans should be well aware of the situation.

“I think they (the fans) deserve [to know] and I do myself as well,” Xhaka had said.

“We have one more week of this Premier League season, the first thing is I want to enjoy [it] and, for sure, you guys will know next week what happens with my future.

“Of course, if next week we know much more what happen with my future, I will be thankful for the fans because how they treat me after this, I didn’t expect that if I am honest.

“I am thankful for that and I want to give them something back [for] maybe my last game on Sunday.”

arsenal fc v psv eindhoven group a uefa europa league
LONDON, ENGLAND: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal acknowledges the fans following victory in the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Arsenal FC and PSV Eindhoven at Emirates Stadium on October 20, 2022. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Xhaka will take a cut to his salary to return to the Bundesliga, and Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso reportedly had a very long talk with Xhaka last week, explaining his project for the coming years.

Leverkusen won’t be in the Champions League, after failing to win their Europa League semi-final against AS Roma, but they’re looking to complete a major summer rebuild. Xhaka looks to be a key part of that.