Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks to sign for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, football.london revealed last week.
Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is thought to be a huge admirer of the Swiss captain, who will be into the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium at the end of the current campaign. A move to Leverkusen is now on the verge of being completed which would see Xhaka leave for a fee of €15million (£13million) and sign a deal until 2027.
But the 30-year-old has already been warned by former teammate Alexandre Lacazette that the grass isn't always greener away from north London. Speaking to Arsenal's official website, defender Rob Holding revealed that he had spoken to Lacazette over the winter period last year, with the Frenchman sending him a text about life at the Emirates Stadium.
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"Yes, I saw Laca a couple of weeks ago," Holding said. "And we spoke about what it's like there compared to Arsenal. Lyon's his home club of course, and he knows it really well, but he was telling me how much he loved his time at Arsenal.
"Actually a couple of months ago he texted me to tell me to enjoy my time at Arsenal because it's a step above everywhere else. He said to me to stay at the club if you can because the grass isn't always greener elsewhere and to enjoy being at a club like Arsenal.
"It was really nice to hear that from someone at a different club." Of course, that is unlikely to change Xhaka's mind regarding a move to Germany but Lacazette's advice is certainly something to think about, especially when you consider that this Arsenal team is only on the way up.
Manager Mikel Arteta is the second youngest head coach in the Premier League, with his players also the second-youngest squad in the division.
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