Bayer Leverkusen 'desperate to sign Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka'

Bayer Leverkusen have allegedly identified Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka as a top summer transfer target.

The German outfit possess one of the most exciting squads in European football, one which is full of top young talent, yet they struggled this season until the arrival of Xabi Alonso.

Their new head coach has since moved Leverkusen into the top six of the Bundesliga standings and guided the club to the Europa League semi-finals.

Alonso has been linked with a move away from Leverkusen, such has been his impact, but the Spaniard has hinted that he wants a longer reign at his current team.

That will coincide with plans being put together for the 2023-24 as Leverkusen look to earn a return to the top four, securing Champions League football in the process.

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According to The Mirror, Alonso and Leverkusen plan to offer Xhaka the opportunity to leave the Emirates Stadium for a return to German football.

Xhaka earned a £35m transfer to Arsenal in 2016 through his performances for Borussia Monchengladbach, and he has generally struggled to replicate that form in North London.

That was until this season where the Switzerland international has enjoyed his best period of football for the Gunners, playing a key role in the club's Premier League title push.

The 30-year-old has contributed an impressive five goals and seven assists, and Mikel Arteta will be keen to keep Xhaka beyond the 2022-23 campaign.

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Nevertheless, Xhaka has just over 14 months remaining on his existing terms, with Arsenal holding the option to extend that deal by a further 12 months.

The report suggests that Xhaka will be allowed to make his own decision regarding his future due to the respect that he commands behind the scenes.

Arsenal are also in the market for at least one fresh face for the engine room when they already have strong options in Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.

While Jose Mourinho has been interested in tempting Xhaka to Roma in the past, there are doubts over whether the Portuguese will remain at Stadio Olimpico in the long term.