Granit Xhaka to announce his transfer plans imminently amid talk of Bayer Leverkusen move

Granit Xhaka has announced that he will confirm his future plans imminently, with Bayer Leverkusen in talks to sign the Arsenal midfielder.

The Gunners came up short in their bid for a first league title since the 2003-04 season and appear set to lose the Swiss international, who has been a loyal servant of the club since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.

Xhaka, 30, hopes to have everything wrapped up in time for Sunday’s game against Wolves so he has the chance to bid a fond farewell to the Emirates faithful

“Yes, I think [the fans] deserve that as well and I do myself as well.

“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.”

Xhaka has not always enjoyed such a positive relationship with Gunners fans. The former captain was often targeted for criticism and was booed off the pitch at his lowest ebb with the north London club.

However, he has enjoyed a renaissance under Mikel Arteta, insisting he will always be thankful for the memories should his move to the German club come to fruition.

“This is what I said when I speak about special,” Xhaka said. “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.

“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.”