Premier League comeback imminent for Granit Xhaka in a £13million transfer, defying Erik ten Hag's entreaty
After a two-year absence, Swiss international midfielder Granit Xhaka is set to return to the Premier League, joining Sunderland for a transfer fee of £13million. The deal includes potential add-ons worth £4m.
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen's new boss, Erik ten Hag, ruled out the transfer last week. Ten Hag, who has already seen Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong leave Leverkusen for Liverpool this summer, expressed his reluctance to let go of another important player, especially after losing three key squad members.
Ten Hag emphasised the importance of Xhaka as a leader, stating that he still has three years left on his contract and is too important for Leverkusen to lose. "We won’t be letting any more leave – that’s not possible. It would damage the structure and culture of the squad. It’s very clear – Granit is a leader. He signed a five-year contract and still has three years left. He’s too important for us to let go," Ten Hag said.
Sunderland's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, supported this view, highlighting Xhaka's role as a leadership figure and reinforcing that a transfer can only happen if all three parties—the player, the selling club, and the buying club—agree.
Xhaka, who has 137 caps for Switzerland on the international stage, will provide some much-needed top-flight experience to the Sunderland squad, helping both on the pitch and in the dressing room. The midfielder previously played for Arsenal in the Premier League, making 225 appearances and scoring 17 goals with 24 assists.
Sunderland has been active in the transfer market this summer, spending £100m on six new signings, including Simon Adringra, Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Taibi, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, and Enzo Le Fee. With these additions, Sunderland is making sure they have the best chance of staying up by bringing in multiple big-money additions.
Sunderland will face West Ham in the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign. Xhaka could make his first appearance in August, potentially reuniting with Arsenal in November. This is the first season Sunderland will be in the Premier League after eight years away.
[1] BBC Sport. (2022). Erik ten Hag blocks Granit Xhaka's transfer to Sunderland. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62341105
[2] Sky Sports. (2022). Sunderland agree £13m deal for Granit Xhaka. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/12490236/sunderland-agree-13m-deal-for-granit-xhaka
- The transfer of Swiss international midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland in the Premier League has been agreed upon for a fee of £13million, with potential add-ons worth £4m.
- Despite initial resistance from Bayer Leverkusen's manager, Erik ten Hag, Xhaka's transfer was finalized, as all three parties—the player, the selling club, and the buying club—agreed to the move.
- Xhaka's addition to Sunderland's squad will bring valuable top-flight experience to the team, both on the pitch and in the dressing room, as the midfielder previously played for Arsenal in the Premier League.
- With the acquisition of Granit Xhaka, Sunderland has invested heavily in the transfer market this summer, spending £100m on six new signings, including Simon Adringra, Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Taibi, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, and Enzo Le Fee.
- In the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign, Sunderland will face West Ham, and Xhaka could make his first appearance for his new club in August, potentially reuniting with Arsenal in November.
- Sunderland's return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence is known to many in the sports world, as this move not only impacts their club's fortunes but also the dynamics of the European leagues and, specifically, the Premier League.
