Sunderland Nears €10M Deal for Granit Xhaka Amid Saudi Competition

Sunderland, newly promoted to the Premier League, are actively pursuing a transfer for midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, with negotiations reportedly centered around a €10 million fee. The club's owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, is leading talks and has offered Xhaka a three-year contract to bring experience and leadership to their squad, particularly to fill the midfield gap left by Jobe Bellingham's departure. Sunderland faces competition from Saudi Arabian club Neom, which has also made a strong offer to Xhaka, aiming to secure the Swiss international's signature. Xhaka, who previously played seven seasons with Arsenal before moving to Leverkusen in 2023 and contributed significantly to Leverkusen's Bundesliga success, still has three years remaining on his current contract. Sunderland sees Xhaka's return to the Premier League as an opportunity for him to demonstrate his continued quality at a top level. The club hopes to finalize the deal before the new season begins, reflecting their ambition to make a significant impact in the top flight.