Sunderland Targets Granit Xhaka to Elevate Premier League Prospects
In a decisive move to enhance their squad for teh Premier League challenge, Sunderland is reportedly eyeing Bayer Leverkusen’s experienced midfielder, Granit Xhaka.Although the Swiss international has three years left on his contract, Leverkusen may be open to negotiations this transfer window.
Why Granit Xhaka Aligns with Sunderland’s Ambitions
The 32-year-old swiss veteran offers a blend of leadership and extensive experience that could be pivotal for Sunderland as they strive to maintain their top-flight status. With over 140 caps for Switzerland and having recently secured the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen in 2023, Xhaka represents the kind of midfield anchor capable of bringing stability and composure to Regis Le Bris’ youthful squad.
A Distinguished European Career
xhaka’s professional journey includes seven impactful seasons at Arsenal after his transfer from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2016. During his time in London, he amassed nearly 300 appearances and lifted two FA Cup trophies. His switch to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 saw him play a crucial role in winning the Bundesliga championship immediately while featuring prominently across all competitions-including ten Champions league matches last season.
Sunderland’s Transfer Strategy: building a Competitive Squad
This summer, Sunderland has actively reinvested funds following jobe Bellingham’s £32 million move to Borussia Dortmund. The club bolstered its ranks by signing winger Simon adingra from Brighton for £20 million and Habib Diarra from Strasbourg at £30 million. Additionally, Roma’s Enzo Le Fee joined permanently for £20 million while versatile defender noah Sadiki was acquired from Union Saint-Gilloise for £17.5 million. Club Brugge winger Chemsdine Talbi also arrived on a £19 million deal.
Rising Competition: Saudi Clubs Entering the Fray
The race for seasoned European players like Xhaka is intensifying as wealthy Saudi Arabian clubs aggressively pursue such talent. However, Sunderland’s vision of integrating an experienced leader into their young core presents an attractive proposition that aligns well with both player ambitions and club objectives.
Key insight: For newly promoted teams aiming at survival in the Premier League, acquiring players with proven top-tier experience like Granit Xhaka can be transformative due to their leadership qualities and extraordinary passing skills.
Xhaka’s Midfield Mastery: Commanding Play Under Pressure
often described as a ‘metronome’ on the pitch, Xhaka excels at controlling game tempo through precise distribution-last season he ranked just behind Joshua Kimmich in completed passes during open play and final-third deliveries across Europe’s elite leagues. Maintaining an impressive pass accuracy near 90%, he consistently demonstrates reliability even under intense pressure.
The shift from possession-oriented sides like Arsenal or Leverkusen toward battling relegation with Sunderland will present fresh challenges; though, having captained Arsenal previously and serving as part of Leverkusen’s leadership core underscores his ability to inspire teammates during adversity-a crucial trait when fighting survival battles within England’s toughest league.
Sunderland Transfer Overview: Recent Additions & Departures
- New Signings:
- Simon Adingra – Brighton & Hove Albion | £20.5m
- Habib diarra – Strasbourg | £30m
- Enzo Le Fee – Roma | £20m
- Noah Sadiki – Union Saint-Gilloise | £17.5m
- Reinildo Mandava – Atletico Madrid | Free transfer
- Chemsdine Talbi – Club Brugge | £19m
- Departures:
- Tommy Watson – Brighton & Hove Albion | £10m
- Jobe Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund | £32m
- Nathan Bishop – AFC Wimbledon | Undisclosed fee
- Adil Aouchiche – Aberdeen (loan)
The Future of Premier League Broadcasts: Sky Sports’ Expanded Coverage from Next Season Onwards
The forthcoming football season heralds significant growth in televised coverage by Sky Sports who will air no fewer than 215 live Premier League matches annually beginning with the 2025-26 campaign-an increase from approximately 128 games per year previously.
This expansion means around 80% of all league fixtures will be broadcast live via Sky platforms-granting fans unparalleled access across multiple devices without missing critical moments throughout this highly competitive campaign.
