AC Milan Cool on Granit Xhaka Deal Despite Green Light from Midfielder

Rossoneri step back from Bayer Leverkusen talks as focus shifts to younger midfielders

At one point, it seemed like a perfect fit: Granit Xhaka, the battle-tested Swiss leader with a Bundesliga title under his belt, reuniting with Italian football in the colours of AC Milan. The player was ready. The idea made sense. But football rarely plays out in straight lines, and now, that potential transfer looks like it’s heading for the scrapheap.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan have put the brakes on their pursuit of the 31-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, despite receiving the green light from the player himself. The club, it seems, is having second thoughts—concerned by Xhaka’s age, his hefty wage demands, and a transfer fee that doesn’t quite line up with their long-term plans.

From admiration to hesitation

There’s no doubt that Milan admire what Xhaka brings to the table. He’s a seasoned international with over 120 caps for Switzerland, a Champions League regular, and a key cog in Xabi Alonso’s historic title-winning Leverkusen side last season. He would instantly add steel, structure and leadership to a Milan midfield that often lacked balance and bite during key stretches of the 2024-25 campaign.

But admiration alone doesn’t cut it in the corridors of Milanello these days.

The Rossoneri have been very clear about the kind of squad they want to build: young, hungry, and sustainable. With players like Rafael Leão, Malick Thiaw, Yacine Adli and Tijjani Reijnders forming the backbone of the project, the club’s strategy is based on nurturing talent rather than loading up on big-money veterans. That’s part of the reason they let go of players like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Simon Kjær in recent windows—experience is welcome, but only at the right price.

Unfortunately for Xhaka, he no longer fits that profile.

Luka Modric changes the equation

modric

Another factor complicating matters is the expected arrival of Luka Modrić, who is set to join Milan following the conclusion of the Club World Cup. The Croatian legend may be 39, but his presence was deemed exceptional—both due to his extraordinary football IQ and the modest terms of his contract, expected to be heavily incentive-based.

Milan don’t want to carry too many senior names on high salaries, and with Modric already pencilled in as the midfield leader, there’s less appetite to splash out again on another veteran. And that, more than anything, is why the Granit Xhaka deal is now teetering on the edge.

A midfield taking shape without Xhaka

Granit Xhaka

Milan’s midfield is beginning to take shape for the upcoming season, and it’s increasingly clear that they’re leaning toward younger, more dynamic options.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains a central figure in the setup, while talks with Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana are said to be ongoing. The Frenchman, 25, fits the age profile Milan prefer and brings Champions League experience alongside athleticism and ball-winning ability.

Add to that the club’s current push to land Samuele Ricci from Torino—another midfielder under 25 who’s earned high praise in Serie A circles—and it becomes obvious that Xhaka might be the odd man out in the equation.

What happens next?

Unless Bayer Leverkusen drastically reduce their valuation, or Xhaka agrees to a wage cut to suit Milan’s structure, this move is unlikely to materialise. While there’s mutual respect between the player and the club, Milan are not prepared to compromise their project’s financial logic for a short-term fix.

Instead, eyes are turning to Spain. The Rossoneri are continuing to monitor Valencia’s Javi Guerra, and have reportedly submitted a €20 million offer for the talented 21-year-old. With the Spanish club needing to raise funds, Milan believe a deal could be done soon, perhaps with bonuses added to sweeten the pot.

If successful, Guerra would add youthful energy and attacking flair to a midfield already brimming with promise. And crucially, he would align perfectly with the sporting director Geoffrey Moncada’s long-term vision: build a Milan side capable of winning now and peaking in three years.

A deal that might have made sense… a year ago

It’s hard not to wonder if this deal would have looked more appealing to Milan a year or two ago. Back then, Xhaka was still making his mark at Arsenal, playing arguably the best football of his Premier League career under Mikel Arteta. Had Milan moved then, the terms may have aligned more cleanly.

Now, with Leverkusen rightly valuing their experienced midfield marshal highly following a historic unbeaten Bundesliga campaign, the numbers no longer stack up for a Milan side that is being incredibly careful with its budget.

It’s also worth noting that Milan haven’t entirely closed the door. If Leverkusen come back with a more modest price tag—or if other targets slip away—then a deal for Xhaka could be revived. But as things stand, the Rossoneri are backing away.

Xhaka’s options: wait or pivot?

For Granit Xhaka, the Milan setback may prompt some reflection. He’s enjoyed a career resurgence in Germany, and is highly respected in the Leverkusen dressing room. But at 31, he knows the clock is ticking on one final big move.

If Milan is off the table, other clubs could still enter the picture. Juventus were reportedly interested earlier in the summer, though it’s unclear how serious their approach was. Clubs in Saudi Arabia and MLS have also been sniffing around.

If no serious European offers arrive, staying put at Leverkusen—where he remains a crucial player under Xabi Alonso—may not be such a bad outcome.

Final word

In football, timing is everything. And right now, the timing on a Granit Xhaka move to AC Milan simply doesn’t feel right. It’s not a question of talent or temperament—both are beyond doubt—but of fit. For a Milan side chasing silverware with a clear strategy in place, the future seems to belong to youth.

Unless something major shifts in the coming weeks, Milan will walk away. Respectfully, but firmly.