Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - February 15, 2025 Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka reacts REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO.
Sunderland are in talks with Leverkusen over the signing of former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. The newly promoted Black Cats are set to return the Premier League for the first time in eight years, and are looking to add some Premier League experience and leadership to their young squad.
Xhaka brings just that, having spent seven years at Arsenal from 2016 to 2023, making 225 Premier League appearances scoring 17 goals and adding 24 assists.
Xhaka is also the captain of Switzerland and has 137 caps for his country. Sky Sports has reported that although Xhaka has three years remaining on his Leverkusen deal, he could be allow to leave this summer.
The deal could be worth a reported £8.7m, and Sunderland face competition from Saudi Pro League side Neom SC. The Saudi club are also newly promoted having finished top of the Saudi second tier last season, and have already signed another former Arsenal star in Alexandre Lacazette. Said Behrahma also joined Seom this summer, and they look to add Xhaka as another former Premier League star to their ranks.
Sunderland eye Xhaka to boost survival hopes
32 year old Xhaka is a experienced as they come. He was a part of the Arsenal side that finished 2nd two years in a row, pulling the strings for the high flying Gunners at the time. While he never got his hands on the Premier League title, he helped Mikel Arteta’s side win two FA Cups in 2017 and 2020.
He joined Leverkusen in 2023 and helped the club win the league and cup double in his debut season. He was one of the key men in midfield, alongside new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz, as Leverkusen became the first club in Bundesliga history to achieve an unbeaten season in 2023/2024.
Xhaka played 49 times for the club last season including all 10 of their Champions League matches. They finished second in the Bundesliga to Bayern Munich and were defeated in the Champions League round of 16 by the same opponent.
Sunderland have been busy already this summer following the departure of Jobe Bellingham, who they sold to Borussia Dortmund for £32m. They have spent over £100m on six new additions as they bid to remain in the Premier League.
The Black Cats have signed wingers Simon Adingra from Brighton for £20m and Habib Diarra from Strasbourg for £30m, while Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee’s loan was made permanent for another £20m.
Noah Sadiki was signed for £17.5m from Union Saint-Gillois, as was Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge for £19m. Reinildo’s free transfer from Atletico Madrid concludes the club’s business so far.
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