There are no doubts about Granit Xhaka’s move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, according to reports from Germany.

Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks to Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 15, 2023. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

German outlet Kicker report that Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka is set to sign for Bayer Leverkusen, and nobody at the club has any doubts that the move will happen.

Leverkusen effectively have an agreement with Xhaka for a four-year deal, though no contract has been signed yet. All the same, Kicker claim it’s a near ‘certainty’ the move will happen, and possibly faster than originally expected.

Xhaka will take a cut to his salary to return to the Bundesliga, which isn’t surprising for anyone leaving the Premier League at the moment.

SportBild claim the deal is likely to be done at the beginning of June, echoing similar claims from Fabrizio Romano.

Romano writes that Leverkusen hope to get the deal done in June after agreeing personal terms with Xhaka, and talks will move to the final stages soon.

Various reports suggested Leverkusen are set to sign Xhaka for a €15m (£13m) fee, with the Bundesliga club’s manager Xabi Alonso very keen on the move.

Alonso reportedly had a very long talk with Xhaka on Tuesday, explaining his project for the coming years.

Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 1, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Xhaka’s impending exit could have various knock-on effects for the rest of Arsenal’s summer window.

For a start, an amicable deal with Leverkusen could pave the way for Arsenal to make a move for apparent target Moussa Diaby.

The Gunners reportedly hold an interest in the Leverkusen winger, and you’d imagine the Bundesliga club would be more willing to do business with Arsenal after securing Xhaka’s signature.

But just as significantly, Xhaka’s departure would give us our strongest hint yet that Arsenal are preparing to invest in signing multiple midfielders.

Declan Rice is clearly the club’s top target, but Arsenal probably needed to add depth to their midfield options even before Xhaka’s departure.

Now that he’s going, it’s arguably necessary to make at least two midfield signings. With that in mind, you’d think Arsenal would only let Xhaka go if they fully intended to make those additions.

Arsenal player’s summer exit now near ‘certainty’

There are no doubts about Granit Xhaka’s move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, according to reports from Germany.