---
title: "Sunderland: Transfer twist as Arbenit Xhemajli features in friendly"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-transfer-twist-arbenit-xhemajli-gateshead-friendly/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-08-24T19:20:07Z"
modified: "2020-08-24T19:20:07Z"
---

# Sunderland: Transfer twist as Arbenit Xhemajli features in friendly

**Arbenit Xhemajli appeared for Sunderland in a pre-season friendly at the weekend against Gateshead, despite a [claim](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-transfer-and-takeover-news-live-cats-duo-miss-hull-city-and-aston-villa-fixtures-phil-parkinson-eyes-fifth-summer-signing-2950527) that the Black Cats were no longer interested in signing him.**

[Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-keeping-tabs-kosovo-international-18703353) were among the first to report the Wearside club’s interest earlier this month, with the Kosovo centre-back currently a free agent following his exit from Neuchatel Xamax.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Xhemajli, who is valued at £765,000 by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/arbenit-xhemajli/profil/spieler/354155), was born in Switzerland but represents the Kosovo national side and he has attracted the interest of Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson.

However, despite being [offered](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderlands-summer-recruitment-salary-cap-18738490) the chance to attend a tour of the Stadium of Light and club’s training facilities, [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-wont-signing-arbenit-xhemajli-18778156) claimed last week that any interest in moving to England had ended. That report now seems to have been premature, with the youngster featuring for Sunderland as they beat non-league side Gateshead 3-1 thanks to goals from Chris Maguire, Will Grigg and Josh Scowen.

Sunderland fan website [Roker Report](https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2020/8/22/21376970/player-ratings-gateshead-1-3-sunderland-parkinsons-men-record-comfortable-victory-away-to-gateshead) reviewed the defender’s performance against Gateshead, handing him a 6/10.

*“Hit the post with a cracking header, looked assured in possession and was aggressive on the rare occasions he had to defend,”* the website opined, whilst Parkinson also commented on his performance.

*“Arbenit is a good player,”* said the Sunderland boss after the match. *“One of the factors in the salary cap issue is that it does become a numbers game.*

*“You can only have 22 players over the age of 21 and so we have to be really careful and ensure anyone who comes in is ready to make a contribution.*

*“He did well today.”*

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

With finances now tightened across the English Football League due to the [salary cap introduction](https://www.efl.com/news/2020/august/squad-salary-caps-introduced-in-league-one-and-league-two/), Parkinson will have his work cut out to secure a number of deals between now and the end of the season.

Bringing in Xhemajli would be a gamble, with the defender having [no experience of English football](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/arbenit-xhemajli/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/354155), but he seems to have impressed with his performance at the weekend,

***Do you think Sunderland should make a move for Arbenit Xhemajli? Let us know your views in the comments section below…***