Bayern Munich are apparently hoping to hijack Bayer Leverkusen's move for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Despite repeated denials from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, Xhaka is believed to have played his final game for the North London club after a topsy-turvy seven-year spell.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Leverkusen had struck a deal to sign the 30-year-old for a £13m fee, one year before his Arsenal contract is due to expire.
Such a move would see Xhaka return to Germany following his four-year stint with Borussia Monchengladbach between 2012 and 2016, but he could be offered an alternative route back to the Bundesliga.
According to 4-4-2, Bayern are ready to rival Leverkusen for the signature of the Switzerland captain and are ready to offer him a three-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
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However, Xhaka is still inclined to join Leverkusen, who have tabled a five-year contract until 2028, and the midfielder would be able to continue his post-playing career at BayArena.
Leverkusen could apparently offer Xhaka a coaching role once he hangs up his boots, although the Gunners' current asking price is still said to be too high for Xabi Alonso's side.
Arsenal agreed to sign the former Basel man in a £38.7m deal in 2016, and he has since registered 23 goals and 29 assists in 297 games for the Gunners across all competitions.
Xhaka was initially expected to depart Arsenal only a few weeks after Arteta's arrival in January 2020, having sworn at the fans and stormed down the tunnel during their clash with Crystal Palace in October 2019, where his substitution was ironically cheered by Gunners fans.
However, Arteta convinced the midfielder to continue, and the 2022-23 season was one of Xhaka's finest in North London, as the Swiss skipper scored nine times and provided seven assists in 47 games, having been given freedom to operate in a more advanced position.
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Following what is expected to be his Arsenal adieu, Xhaka was asked by fans outside the stadium if he was leaving while signing autographs, and the midfielder remained coy with his response, saying: "We will see what happens next week".
The midfielder scored twice in Sunday's 5-0 Premier League final-day thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates, netting his brace within just 15 minutes and being given a standing ovation from the Arsenal faithful.
Xhaka often joined forces with Thomas Partey in an effective midfield pairing this season, but the latter is also being tipped to leave this summer amid interest from several Serie A clubs.
Arsenal could also try to offload Albert Sambi Lokonga permanently, while Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho are only under contract at the Emirates until the summer of 2024.
Arteta's side are expected to formally approach West Ham United over a move for Declan Rice following the Hammers' Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on June 7, while Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo remains a target for the Gunners after their failed bids for the Ecuadorian in January.
Ben Knapton
