Revealed: How ex-Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has already 'upset' Granit Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen

According to reports from German outlet Bild, the Dutch tactician’s cautious approach to initiating dialogue with his players has not gone down well, particularly with experienced midfielder Xhaka. The Swiss ace was allegedly left "upset" and "annoyed" after waiting nearly three weeks before hearing from Ten Hag following the manager’s official appointment.

Although Ten Hag ultimately reached out to reassure the former Arsenal star of his importance to future plans at Leverkusen, the prolonged silence has reportedly left Xhaka questioning his standing and future within the squad. This communication gap has opened the door for external interest, with Serie A giants AC Milan quickly taking notice.

While Leverkusen initially valued the former Arsenal man at €40 million (£34 million), recent reports suggest they may now accept a significantly lower figure in the range of €8–10 million (£6.8m/£8.5m), a valuation Milan would likely be able to meet. Xhaka is reportedly open to the move, provided the terms align with his ambitions and playing time expectations.

When asked recently about his future, Xhaka neither confirmed nor denied his intentions, leaving the door open to a summer move after seeing key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong depart.

"Of course, the players who are leaving or have left are a huge loss, definitely," he said.

"They were extremely important for the team. With [Leverkusen directors] Simon Rolfes and Fernando Carro, we have enough players who can hopefully get the team back to that level. Whether it’s with or without me is another question. But as of today, I’m here. We’re happy, and that’s what matters.

"Of course, you think about it, but as I said, my mind is far away. I have my family and my management to take care of such things. When the time comes and you have an offer on the table, then you start thinking about it. And when the time comes for a transfer to take place, I’ll definitely let you know."

Milan’s interest in Xhaka comes amid a wider overhaul of their midfield. The club is also reportedly close to signing veteran Luka Modric from Real Madrid, further emphasising their intention to blend experience with youth. Should both transfers materialize, it would mark a significant shift in Milan’s squad composition ahead of the new campaign.