Granit Xhaka Plotting Premier League Comeback with Sunderland
How often does a club newly back in the Premier League score a signing headline this big? Granit Xhaka could be on his way to Sunderland, and this isn’t just wishful thinking from fans. The Granit Xhaka transfer talk is getting louder, with his agent, Jose Noguera, putting it bluntly: there’s a handshake agreement on personal terms and Xhaka wants to be back in England—specifically, at Sunderland. It’s not quite “done deal” just yet, though, as Bayer Leverkusen stubbornly refused Sunderland’s first bid.
At 32, Xhaka’s not just another experienced midfielder up for grabs. He recently helped steer Bayer Leverkusen to their historic Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, bossing the midfield with his usual composure. The numbers turn heads—2,753 completed passes across the season with a 90.8% pass accuracy—show Xhaka is still pulling the strings like a master.
Xhaka will head into a squad itching to prove its worth in the top flight. Sunderland, after clawing their way back to the Premier League, want muscle and brains in the center of the park. The plan? Use a battle-hardened leader who knows the English game inside out to anchor the team’s return and add main-character energy to the dressing room.
Transfer Turmoil: Ten Hag's Interference and Leverkusen Dilemmas
This move, though, hasn’t gone unopposed. Sources close to the deal say Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has butted heads with Xhaka’s agent, trying to throw a spanner in the works. It’s unclear what angle Ten Hag is playing—whether he’s got his own plans for Xhaka or just doesn’t want a rival beefing up—but this saga is getting spicier by the day.
Back at Leverkusen, the club is busy with its own midfield shake-up. They recently snapped up Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, sending a clear message: nobody’s spot is guaranteed, not even Xhaka’s. These new faces could push the Swiss international closer to the exit, as Leverkusen’s evolving lineup leaves his future looking less secure than it did after that trophy-laden run.
The three-year contract all but sewn up would tie Xhaka to Sunderland through 2028, and it’s not just about nostalgia or a fat paycheck. The midfielder has always thrived on challenge—from captaining Arsenal through turbulent seasons, to reinventing himself in Germany—and now he wants to prove he’s not done with England’s toughest stage. For Sunderland, this isn’t just a gamble. They want more than survival in the Premier League—they want a leader who’s seen it all, willing to get stuck in, lift younger players, and drag the squad forward when it matters most.
Now the spotlight hangs over Leverkusen’s boardroom. Will they let Xhaka leave for Wearside? Or will the deal collapse under its own weight? Football fans know one thing: whether you love him or loathe him, Xhaka’s next move is the talk of the summer transfer window.