Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is reportedly set to leave the club this summer and is in advanced talks over a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
The Switzerland international has enjoyed an unexpected redemption arc in North London since his infamous rant towards the fans in a game against Crystal Palace in October 2019.
As Arsenal fans cheered his substitution, Xhaka mouthed expletives towards the supporters and ripped off his shirt as he stormed down the tunnel - leading Unai Emery to strip him of the captaincy - which would seemingly signal the end of his Gunners career.
However, Mikel Arteta convinced the 30-year-old to remain at the Emirates Stadium, and he has since rebuilt his relationship with the Emirates fanbase during a productive 2022-23 season.
Having snubbed interest from Roma, Xhaka has contributed seven goals and seven assists from 45 matches in all tournaments this season, starting 34 Premier League games during Arsenal's unexpected title charge.
While he has not been considered for the permanent captaincy again given the events of 2019, Xhaka has stood in as skipper in Europa League and FA Cup matches this term during Martin Odegaard's absence.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach man is due to become a free agent next summer, but it has been reported that Arsenal are set to trigger an extension in his contract.
However, the Evening Standard now claims that Xhaka will bid his farewells to the Gunners at the end of the season and is poised to return to the Bundesliga with Leverkusen.
The report states that Xabi Alonso's side have entered advanced negotiations over a £13m switch, and Arsenal will not stand in his way of an exit as they seek a midfield overhaul.
Xhaka's agent apparently held a recent meeting with Arsenal's sporting director Edu and director of football operations Richard Garlick, as the midfielder prepares to end a mixed seven-year stay in North London.
The 30-year-old was signed by Arsene Wenger in the summer of 2016 for £39.2m and has since made 295 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals and setting up 29 more.
Xhaka has been a part of two FA Cup-winning squads in North London, as well as clinching two Community Shields and being named Switzerland's Player of the Year for 2017 and 2022.
Regardless of Xhaka's future, Arsenal are hoping to bring two new midfielders to the club this summer as they pursue deals for Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo and West Ham United's Declan Rice.
Arsenal are ready to break their single-window transfer record following a sustained period of progress, and Arteta could reportedly have as much as £200m to spend this summer.
Xhaka's penultimate game in an Arsenal shirt will come away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday before his Emirates farewell at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 28. body check tags ::
