- Granit Xhaka close to agreeing four-year contract with German club

- Midfielder has been with Arsenal for seven years

Granit Xhaka is poised to leave Arsenal at the end of the season and Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to sign the midfielder for €15m (£13m).

The 30-year-old’s contract expires in June 2024 and there are no negotiations over an extension, with a parting of ways planned seven years after Xhaka joined from another German club, Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The Switzerland international is close to an agreement over personal terms with Leverkusen on a four-year deal.

Xhaka has played a major role in Arsenal’s title push, starting 34 of their 36 Premier League games and coming on as a substitute in one.

The midfielder’s contribution amounted to “probably the best season he has had at the club”, Mikel Arteta said last Friday, but manager and player accept this is a good moment for the relationship to end. Xhaka has faced fierce criticism from Arsenal fans at times during his stay but he intends to depart on a positive note.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly set to have a budget of around £150million for the summer transfer window as they look towards challenging for the title next season. In the meantime if you fancy a flutter why not try in2bet for the best odds after the North Londoners had been leading the Premier League title race for much of the season, but now sit in second place.

Manchester City have recently claimed top spot and look set to go on and claim a third consecutive league title.

Even if Arsenal are unable to clinch the league for the first time since 2004, they will be confident of challenging again next season.

Investment in the summer will likely be needed, and Arteta may have plenty of resources at his disposal to acquire his targets.

Arsenal will have a budget in excess of £150million this summer via club funds and player sales.

The Gunners are said to be willing to listen to offers for  Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Folarin Balogun, Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares.