Granit Xhaka agrees Premier League return after being 'annoyed

Granit Xhaka is heading back to the Premier League with Sunderland as the Bayer Leverkusen star finalises an exit after being left angered by Erik ten Hag's approach

Sunderland have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen that will see Granit Xhaka return to the Premier League with the Black Cats - two years after leaving Arsenal.

The Swiss midfielder has become a German champion since he's been away but will now link up with the newly promoted side. Sunderland have secured his services in a £17million deal, £13m of that being paid up front with a further £4m to come in add-ons, according to multiple reports.

Xhaka agreed personal terms with the club last week ahead of signing a three-year deal. Sunderland saw an earlier offer rejected but end up increasing their total package by £7m to get the transfer over the line.

The switch means that Erik ten Hag has lost yet another major figure at Leverkusen despite not even taking charge of a competitive match yet. The ex-Manchester United boss was hired to replace Xabi Alonso but has not endeared himself to all of his players.

Bild previously reported that Ten Hag made a deliberate effort to give his new Leverkusen players time and space before contacting them for the first time. However that approach was not been universally well received with Xhaka among those to take issue with the new manager's decision to remain silent.

Ten Hag only made contact with the former Arsenal midfielder three weeks after his appointment. That lack of communication saw the Swiss star question his future and he's since chosen to seek pasture new. The former United boss attempted to underlined how important he felt the 32-year-old would be to his plans moving forward, but the damage was ultimately done.

Despite evidently frustrating Xhaka with his approach the Dutchman, who is out to prove himself after a poor end to his stint in Manchester, had defiantly claimed that the Swiss midfielder was going nowhere despite his agent admitting a deal with Sunderland was done.

Ten Hag said: "His agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three important players (Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah) go, and we won't let any more go,"

It is the last blow for the Bundesliga outfit, who have lost a number of the leading lights who helped them claim the league title just over a year ago. Wirtz has left in a British-record deal for Liverpool, which has banked Leverkusen more than £100m. Frimpong has followed him to Anfield. Tah made the move to rivals Bayern Munich.

With the huge funds raised the German side have managed to bring in Jarell Quansah from Liverpool with the defender highly thought of. Malik Tillman is another of their major signings, making the move from PSV.