Granit Xhaka
Sunderland appears to be on the verge of completing a significant transfer move with the acquisition of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen. This potential signing marks a statement of intent for the club during a summer transfer window that has been characterized by strategic moves. After a lengthy pursuit, Sunderland has reportedly reached an agreement with Leverkusen for Xhaka’s transfer, according to multiple sources. The Swiss midfielder, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal in 2023, has continued to demonstrate his exceptional skills, making him a valuable asset in Europe’s top leagues.
Raphael Honigstein said: “We always knew that Xhaka had a big personality, that he was an important dressing room voice and a real leader. But now, his football has gone to another level in the last couple of years and I think that is because of the influence of [Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta] as experienced former central midfielders. With Xhaka, I think he’s still very much willing and happy to learn and you could see an improvement. I think that there’s a reason why he was captain at Arsenal. There’s a reason why Leverkusen were desperate to get him in. Alonso effectively built a team around him to a certain extent. Xhaka has been one reason why they’ve managed to instil this togetherness and real team mentality that the past Leverkusen teams haven’t always been able to produce, because of their nature as sort of a stepping stone for many players. He’s one of the main reasons why Leverkusen have now gone from being a very good team to being a superb side.”
Xhaka’s statistics since joining Leverkusen have been impressive, with the midfielder recording the most touches and passes in Europe’s top five leagues. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Xhaka’s influence on the pitch remains formidable. His nomination for the Ballon d’Or, where he finished 16th, underscores his continued excellence, placing him ahead of notable players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Xhaka’s leadership qualities and footballing prowess have been pivotal for Leverkusen, with his presence contributing significantly to the team’s cohesion and performance improvement.
This transfer, if finalized, could be a game-changer for Sunderland, providing them with a seasoned midfielder whose experience and skill set could elevate the team’s performance in the upcoming season.
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