Granit Xhaka is closing on an exit from Arsenal after more than half a decade with the club. football.london understands that the Swiss midfielder is set to secure a £13million move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka started in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday and spoke to football.london after the game. Asked about his future, Xhaka admitted that the Arsenal fan base and the wider world would be made aware of the decision next week.
"You will know latest next week, for sure," he said. Pressed on if it will be before Wolves Xhaka replied: "Yes."
READ MORE: Granit Xhaka insists Arsenal must take ‘next step’ to catch Manchester City next season
With now nothing to play for besides pride on the final day of the season, the match at the Emirates provides the opportunity to thank the side for a surprising campaign in which they challenged for the title. With an announcement on Xhaka’s future coming in the week, it could provide a chance therefore to say goodbye too.
Xhaka once said that he wouldn’t leave the club until he achieved "something special". Despite not picking up the title, the reward for the campaign is a return to the Champions League for which the club have been without for almost the same length of time as Xhaka has been an Arsenal player; asked whether that constituted the special achievement the midfielder seemed disappointed it was not instead silverware if he is to leave this summer.
"I mean where I have been three years ago and where I am today, I think I grew up like a person, like a player and I got the respect back, what I think I deserve as well from the fans. In the dressing room everything was always fine," Xhaka added.
"But yeah, I wanted to do something special this season, maybe with a title, but it’s not the time. Let’s see what the future speaks about it."
Throughout his tenure the relationship with the fans was fractured at one stage, however, he has built that back and the majority of supporters are now back on side. His name has been sung at numerous games and football.london asked about this, he detailed his surprise that it has recovered to such an extent.
"Yeah, this is what I said when I speak about special," Xhaka said. "I mean, how I say it, where I have been three years ago and how I came back and my turnaround, maybe, it’s the first in the history of the Premier League.
"It makes me proud, makes me happy as well. But this is my story, this is my path. Of course, if next week we know much more what happen with my future, I will be thankful for the fans because how they treat me after this, I didn’t expect that if I am honest.
"I am thankful for that and I want to give them something back [for] - maybe - my last game on Sunday."
Having the news announced in the week would provide clarity and remove all doubt. Xhaka added that a mid-week public announcement and clarity is what he and the supporters deserve.
"I think [the fans] deserve that as well and I do myself as well," he added. "We have one more week of this Premier League season, the first thing is I want to enjoy [it] and for sure you guys will know next week what happens with my future.
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