Arsenal star Granit Xhaka spotted in Germany after 'completing medical' ahead of Bayer Leverkusen transfer

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka has been spotted in good spirits after completing a medical ahead of a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

It’s been an incredibly busy week for Arsenal’s recruitment staff.

On Thursday the club announced Reiss Nelson had put pen to paper on a new four-year deal, while William Saliba has also been tipped to extend his stay at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have also seen a club-record £105million bid accepted for West Ham captain Declan Rice and reached an agreement worth £38.5milion for Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.

Mikel Arteta will also sanction outgoings this summer, in an attempt to rejig his squad and challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title next term.

And Xhaka will be one of the most notable departures. The Gunners have agreed to a €25million (£21million) deal to sell the Swiss international to Leverkusen.

Xhaka to Leverkusen

Xhaka has been spotted in the German city of Cologne, where he has reportedly undergone a medical ahead of his move to Leverkusen.

The 30-year-old, who made 297 appearances across seven seasons at the Emirates, was entering the final year of his contract.

According to Sky Sports News, a formal announcement on the player’s departure is expected in the next 24 hours.

Xhaka endured a topsy-turvy time at Arsenal. Few would have predicted he would one day leave on a high when, three and a half years ago, he was jeered by his own fans against Crystal Palace and subsequently stripped of the captaincy.

However, when Mikel Arteta was appointed in 2019 he convinced Xhaka to turn down a mid-season move to Hertha Berlin. And last season a positional adjustment saw Xhaka become a key component of Arsenal’s title-chasing side and ultimately earn his redemption.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports News claims Rice and Timber will have their Arsenal medicals in the next 72 hours, with personal terms for both having been agreed in principle.

Both signings could be announced by the start of next week. Should there be no hiccups in finalising the deals Arsenal’s spending will go beyond £200million this window.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Football, Granit Xhaka, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Transfers

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.