Bayer Leverkusen ready to let Granit Xhaka leave amid pressure from midfielder and AC Milan offer

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Leverkusen have reportedly let their guard down and will now be willing to listen to offers for Xhaka, who is pushing for an exit amid interest from Serie A giants AC Milan.

Di Marzio reports that Leverkusen will allow the departure of Xhaka if any team would be willing to match their asking price of €8-10 million. Although the midfielder played a crucial role in the German side's sensational Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal triumphs in the 2023-24 season, Leverkusen will have a comparatively much weaker team under coach Erik ten Hag next season. Indeed, Die Werkself have already lost Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich and the Florian Wirtz-Jeremie Frimpong duo to Liverpool, which has forced Xhaka to seek a new project.

Xhaka has already given his go-ahead for the transfer to Milan, despite Ten Hag's insistence on retaining the Swiss international next season. The Rossoneri are determined to build a successful side following the appointment of Igli Tare as new sporting director. Luka Modric, who is currently playing for Real Madrid at the ongoing Club World Cup, is close to sealing a move to the Serie A side.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has made Xhaka his top priority ahead of the 2025-26 season. Reports earlier this week mentioned that Leverkusen would not make the 32-year-old's departure easy, but it seems like the Bundesliga giants will now allow him to leave, should Milan be ready to pay €10m. Sporting director Tare is also expected to fly to Germany and hold talks with the midfielder's entourage in the coming days.