Arsenal have six options to replace Granit Xhaka if he completes a move away from the club this summer. Mikel Arteta can look from within as well as in the transfer market in order to fill the Swiss’ shoes.
Talks are advanced with Bayer Leverkusen for Xhaka to make a return to the Bundesliga. The 30-year-old is expected to leave for a fee in the region of £13million.
Xhaka has occupied a left-sided No 8 role this season after playing the majority of his first six campaigns at the club as a holding midfielder. He has had his best year in an Arsenal shirt so will need to be properly replaced.
There are a couple of options for Arteta already at the club, while several summer targets could fit the bill. Express Sport looks at six players who could replace Xhaka.
Declan Rice
Rice has also spent the majority of his career as a defensive midfielder. However, he has shown this season more of his ability to be effective in attacking areas.
He is the top target for Arteta and could slot straight into Xhaka’s role. Rice wants to join a Champions League club and could take his game to a new level.
Ilkay Gundogan
Manchester City captain Gundogan is one of the best No 8s around. He is out of contract in the summer and Arsenal are interested.
City may try even harder to keep the German in order to prevent him from joining a rival team. But if the opportunity is there for a free transfer, Arteta would be silly not to pursue it.
Mason Mount
Arsenal are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in Mount. He is out of contract at Chelsea in 2024 and will likely leave this summer if he can’t agree on an extension soon.
Liverpool and Manchester United are also keen. But a potential reunion with best friend Rice could be too hard to turn down.
Youri Tielemans
Another player set to be available on a free transfer. Tielemans has racked up almost 200 appearances in English football since joining Leicester in January 2019.
He turned 26 earlier this month and is hitting his prime years. United are also linked with his signature,
Emile Smith Rowe
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell recently claimed Arteta is working with Smith Rowe on the training ground to convert him into a No 8. He could be an in-house option to replace Xhaka.
Smith Rowe hasn’t started a game all season in any competition. If he doesn’t push for a move this summer, he could be an option.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly is just 16 years of age, so perhaps won’t be thrust into first-team action just yet. But he is an exciting academy talent who agreed an extension to his contract earlier this year.
Lewis-Skelly is the only left-footed player on this list. Perhaps he is being earmarked for Xhaka’s role in the years to come.
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