West Ham are actively considering a summer move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka, with a fee of around £17 million reportedly on the table.
The experienced midfielder is being looked at as part of new manager Graham Potter’s plans to reshape the squad, with midfield a clear priority going into the new season.
West Ham Pushing for Xhaka as Rivals Circle
As originally reported by Rheinische Post (21 July, page C4), West Ham are among several clubs monitoring the 32-year-old midfielder. They’re not alone though, as Sunderland and Saudi outfit Neom SC are also believed to be in the mix. No deal has been finalised so far.
Xhaka only joined Leverkusen two seasons ago but remains under contract until 2028, meaning the German side won’t let him leave without serious compensation. Sporting director Simon Rolfes has described the current talks as having a “win-win” nature, hinting the club may be open to discussions under the right circumstances.
Arsenal Exit and Leverkusen Form Keep Xhaka in Demand
Since making the switch from Arsenal to Leverkusen in 2023, Xhaka has become a mainstay in Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga-winning lineup. Over the course of last season, he racked up 33 league appearances, netting two goals and providing seven assists.
His 91% pass completion rate, according to Sofascore, underlines the calm and consistency he brings to the heart of midfield (something West Ham lacked at times last season).
There’s still no clear stance from Leverkusen on whether they’d entertain letting him go, with conflicting signals out of the club. That uncertainty has only helped keep speculation alive.
Potter Targeting Midfield Reinforcements
Even after bringing in Guido Rodríguez and already having Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek in the squad, Potter is keen to add more depth in central areas. It’s no secret that West Ham were prone to midfield inconsistency during the last campaign, and Potter is aiming to fix that early in the window.
Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf have already arrived, strengthening other areas, but midfield remains a priority with both domestic and European campaigns to tackle.
Why Xhaka Ticks the Right Boxes
Xhaka’s profile fits the bill perfectly for what West Ham are seeking: someone with leadership, big-game experience, and the ability to control the tempo of matches. With over a decade at the top level between the Premier League, Bundesliga, and international football with Switzerland, he would arrive with a wealth of experience Potter can lean on.
The Hammers aren’t the only ones keen though, and persuading Xhaka to return to England, especially with interest from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, won’t be straightforward. But if they do manage to pull it off, this could be a real statement of intent for the new era at London Stadium.
