Could Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka be heading to Saudi Arabia? | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka’s Bayer Leverkusen future remains undecided. Speaking in June, the 32-year-old admitted that a departure from the BayArena could be an option that he wishes to explore, following the high profile departures of Xabi Alonso, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.

Die Werkself have placed a €8m-€15m valuation on Xhaka, who was instrumental in the club’s Bundesliga and German Cup winning season. And while Juventus has shown an interest in signing the Swiss midfielder, there’s a new club that has entered the fold. According to a report by Fussball Transfers, Saudi Pro League club Neom SC are targeting Xhaka and have declared the player as a priority. Xhaka was set to earn a reported €3.5m salary at Juventus, but a move to Saudi would be far more lucrative.

They’ve already spent €43.73m on transfers this summer with the arrivals of Marcin Bulka (Nice, €15m), Amadou Kone (Stade de Reims, €13.33m), Said Benrhama (Lyon, €12m) and Faris Abdi (Al-Fayha, €3.4m), while Alexandre Lacazette has also joined the club upon the expiry of his contract. Whether Xhaka is the next high-profile player to make the switch to Saudi remains to be seen, but there is considerable interest from Neom SC.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder