Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has informed the club that he only wants to join Sunderland this summer.
The 32-year-old moved to the Bundesliga in 2023 after a seven-year stint with Arsenal, where he became a pivotal player for several years. Saudi club Neom were previously linked with a big-money move for the Swiss star.
Xhaka has played a key role for the Bundesliga side across his two seasons at the club, making 99 appearances and helping them to their first Bundesliga title in 2023-24 under now Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso.
According to journalist David Ornstein, the playmaker wants to make his Premier League return and he seems to be eyeing the newly promoted Black Cats as the perfect destination.
“Granit Xhaka informs Bayer Leverkusen he only wants to join Sunderland as club-to-club talks continue. Agreement now in place between 32-year-old and Sunderland. Leverkusen asked by Switzerland midfielder to close deal rapidly. Negotiations ongoing.”
Xhaka would join the Black Cats with a mammoth 225 Premier League games to his name, with a further 17 goals and 24 assists that may help Sunderland avoid relegation.
Erik ten Hag was appointed Leverkusen’s new head coach earlier this summer, succeeding Alonso, and could now have to deal with the departure of Xhaka after already losing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool.