Granit Xhaka switch information: Sunderland exploring transfer to signal Bayer Leverkusen and ex-Arsenal midfielder

Sunderland are exploring an bold transfer to signal Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Xhaka has three years left on his Leverkusen deal however might be allowed to go away this window.

Sunderland are excited about signing the 32-year-old Bundesliga winner to spearhead their Premier League return.

Sunderland face competitors from Saudi Arabia for the ex-Arsenal midfielder’s signature.

Xhaka is vastly skilled with 137 caps for Switzerland and suits the profile for Regis Le Bris’ younger workforce.

Xhaka spent seven seasons at Arsenal after becoming a member of from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. He gained two FA Cups and made 297 appearances.

He joined Leverkusen in 2023, taking part in a key function in them successful the Bundesliga title in his first season. Final time period, he performed 49 instances as they completed second, together with all 10 of their Champions League matches.

Sunderland offered Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund for £32m this summer season, however they’ve reinvested to be able to attempt to stay within the Premier League.

They’ve signed extra firepower in wingers Simon Adingra from Brighton for £20m and Habib Diarra from Strasbourg in a £30m deal.

Roma midfielder Enzo Le Payment joined on a everlasting deal for £20m whereas the versatile Noah Sadiki was secured for £17.5m from Union Saint-Gilloise. Chemsdine Talbi, a winger from Membership Brugge, additionally signed for £19m.

Evaluation: ‘Metronome’ Xhaka may remodel Sunderland’s survival hopes

Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:

For the promoted golf equipment, bringing in Premier League high quality can be essential to their survival. Sunderland bringing in Brighton winger Simon Adingra is a begin, however Granit Xhaka could be a stratospheric signing.

The Switzerland worldwide had a blended profession at Arsenal however one key theme stood out – managers saved choosing him.

Arsene Wenger and Mikel Arteta saved him as a key member of the workforce regardless of his numerous purple playing cards, with the present Arsenal supervisor even bringing him again from the chilly after a significant falling out with the membership’s supporters, which led to his captaincy being taken away by Unai Emery.

It is as a result of – regardless of the controversy Xhaka can carry – he poses on the metronome in each workforce he performs for.

His stability was very important to Bayer Leverkusen successful the league and cup double in his first season whereas even final time period – a extra disappointing marketing campaign compared – noticed Xhaka present his value.

Solely Joshua Kimmich managed extra passes in open play and closing third balls than Xhaka final time period, whereas his move accuracy of 90 per cent confirmed his reliability on the ball.

After all, Xhaka taking part in for a relegation-threatened Sunderland aspect will distinction very in a different way to the possession-heavy spells at Arsenal and Leverkusen.

However he was Arsenal captain and a part of Leverkusen’s management group. If a deal will get accomplished, this can be a signing that can give the Black Cats an enormous survival enhance.

In

Simon Adingra – Brighton, £20.5m

Habib Diarra – Strasbourg, £30m

Enzo Le Payment – Roma, £20m

Noah Sadiki – Union Saint-Gilloise, £17.5m

Reinildo Mandava – Atletico Madrid, free

Chemsdine Talbi – Membership Brugge, £19m

Out

Tommy Watson – Brighton, £10m

Jobe Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund, £32m

Nathan Bishop – AFC Wimbledon, undisclosed

Adil Aouchiche – Aberdeen, mortgage

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