Arsenal starter ‘wants to take on another challenge’ as Bundesliga side ‘push’ to sign him

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka ‘wants to take on another challenge this summer’ with Bayer Levekusen interested in his signature, according to reports.

The mood around the Gunners camp will be down at the moment following which has all but ended their hopes of winning the Premier League title.

But Mikel Arteta’s side have had a brilliant season regardless with Arsenal making huge progress from last term when they finished fifth and were pipped to fourth place by arch-rivals Tottenham,

And reports this week claim that Arsenal are looking to get their business done early again this summer .

That could spell the end of the road at Arsenal for some players with two new midfielders potentially arriving in the summer transfer window.

Xhaka has been in brilliant form for most of this season and could be one midfielder to depart with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg insisting that the Switzerland international is looking for a new challenge.

Plettenberg wrote on Twitter: “Leverkusen is still pushing to sign him! It’s looking very good. Alonso wants him as a top leader. Understand that Xhaka wants to take on another challenge this summer. But he’s totally focused on Arsenal now.

“Price valuation of around €15m. No negotiations between the clubs yet.”

There was an opportunity for Xhaka to leave the club in 2020 after falling out with Arsenal fans – but the 30-year-old has stormed back to play a key role under Arteta this term.

And former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton can see Xhaka staying and signing a new deal at Arsenal.

Hutton told Football Insider: “The midfield at Arsenal at the moment really suits him. The likes of [Thomas] Partey, Jorginho, it frees him up a bit to go and play a bit further forward. So it would not surprise me if they offer him a new contract and he stays for a number of years.

“You get that good feel factor about you again from being so low, and I felt it when I was at Aston Villa, to turning it around. Ultimately they are fighting for the Premier League, so it is somewhere you want to be.

“Arteta is building something special there, so you would want to be part of that.”