Arsenal star could move to Germany as Mikel Arteta targets Youri Tielemans

Bayer Leverkusen are planning a move to sign Granit Xhaka from Arsenal this summer.

The midfielder, 29, enjoyed a strong campaign last season and starred when paired with Thomas Partey in central midfield.

However, the Swiss star nearly left the Emirates to join Roma last year despite eventually putting pen to paper on a new deal.

The Gunners are reportedly stepping up their interest in Leicester’s Youri Tielemans and, according to The Mirror, Leverkusen believe the Belgian’s arrival could see Xhaka become available.

Arteta is keen to bolster his options in midfield this summer and Arsenal are said to be growing increasingly confident that a deal can be struck for Tielemans.

Since signing for Arsenal in 2016, Xhaka has endured a controversial time at the north London club, often being blamed for the side’s shortcomings.

In 2019, he was booed off by the home crowd at the Emirates during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace and, in response, ended up throwing his shirt to the ground.

The player was subsequently stripped of the captaincy and has struggled to secure the backing of Gunners fans ever since.

He is highly regarded in Germany where he spent four years as a player with Borussia Monchengladbach.

However, it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta will allow Xhaka to leave with the Spaniard wanting more depth to his squad ahead of next season.

Speaking in April, Arteta said he would need more options with the club having qualified for Europe again.

He said: ‘Both competitions (the Champions League and Europa League) require a much larger squad because the number of games you play is much bigger, so I don’t think it makes a lot of difference (which competition Arsenal qualify for).

‘If you can afford it,