Arsenal hold firm over Granit Xhaka decision as Declan Rice delay emerges

30 June 2023 , 15:58

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Arsenal hold firm over Granit Xhaka decision as Declan Rice delay emerges

Bayer Leverkusen might have to improve their offer to land Granit Xhaka.

Arsenal are ready to allow Xhaka to leave as soon as they complete the £105m deal for West Ham captain Declan Rice. Leverkusen have got a deal for 30-year-old Xhaka all lined up and are ready to push ahead whenever Arsenal give the green light.

‌Xhaka is being offered at least a four-year contract in Germany and there is a feeling that if they view him as a long-term signing, then they should also have to pay around £20m rather than the bargain deal which has so far been mooted.

Switzerland captain Xhaka even said his goodbyes after Arsenal’s final game of the season and Mikel Arteta remains a huge fan of the midfielder.

But Arsenal will look to offload players with deals for Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber lined up while they have already sealed the £65m arrival of Kai Havertz from Chelsea.

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Thomas Partey is wanted by Juventus and there is interest elsewhere in Italy and from Saudi Arabia while Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding could also go this summer.

Arsenal’s £105m offer for Rice meets West Ham’s price demands but they have yet to agree the structure of the payments.

Rice, 24, is likely to undergo a medical while on holiday to complete the deal when the two clubs thrash out the final details. But it may not happen until the start of next week.

Granit Xhaka is set to leave Arsenal this summer (Getty Images)

It is believed Arsenal offered £100m and a further £5m in potential add-ons. It would make Rice the most expensive British player of all time and eclipse Arsenal’s previous record transfer.

The Gunners moved ahead in the race after Manchester City pulled out of the race. Arteta has made clear his intent to strengthen his squad this summer - and he's not wasted any time in doing so.

Meanwhile, a move for Ajax full-back Timber is still being worked on as Arsenal aim to improve a squad that finished second in the Premier League last season, five points behind Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners City.

Reiss Nelson’s contract expires on June 30, Arsenal have offered him a new four year deal worth £100,000-a-week while Crystal Palace have been the club pushing hardest to sign him.

John Cross