Fabrizio Romano: Granit Xhaka 90% gone from Arsenal, Declan Rice bid to be made to West Ham in next few weeks
Granit Xhaka is “90 per cent gone” from Arsenal, who will present their bid for West Ham ace Declan Rice in the coming weeks, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Switzerland international Xhaka is expected to complete a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a four-year deal.
England star Rice is reportedly Mikel Arteta’s top choice to replace Xhaka at the Emirates Stadium next season, and the Gunners are reportedly ready to make their first move.
“Granit Xhaka is now 90 per cent gone. It’s over between Arsenal and Xhaka, his move to Bayer Leverkusen will be completed in a matter of weeks, it’s just a matter of time,” Romano wrote in the Caught Offside substack.
“He’s agreed a contract until June 2027, and a fee of €15m is almost agreed between the two clubs.
“Declan Rice is Arsenal’s priority to replace Xhaka, and they will present their offer to West Ham in the coming weeks.”
No need for Rice to rush
The old saying goes “all good things must come to an end” and there is, sorry Hammers, fans a certain inevitability about Declan Rice leaving the London Stadium in the upcoming transfer window.
Rice has been a great servant to the Hammers but loyalty can come at the expense of success – hello Harry Kane…
That being said, Rice is a great position of knowing a host of elite clubs are going to be chasing his signature.
Arsenal on paper does look a great move, especially given they have been Manchester City’s greatest threat to the title this term before a late-season collapse.
But is there a feeling that this is Arsenal’s best opportunity having passed them by? You have to expect Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United will get stronger, while Manchester United will continue to rebuild under Erik ten Hag.
So, while now is absolutely the right time for Rice to seek pastures new, he should take his time to pick his move because there will be options aplenty.