Granit Xhaka is hoping to secure a move to Sunderland this summer, with the former Arsenal midfielder only wanting to join the Black Cats.
The 32-year-old has been with Bayer Leverkusen since leaving the Gunners in 2023 and has enjoyed a successful time with the German club.
The 2023-24 campaign saw Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, while finishing runners-up in the Europa League.
There has been big change this summer, though, with Xabi Alonso leaving his position as manager to take charge of Real Madrid, replaced by Erik ten Hag.
Xhaka is also looking to leave the club and is very keen on joining newly-promoted Sunderland.
The team, managed by Regis Le Bris, beat Sheffield United to win the Championship Play-Off final and are spending big on new recruits.
Jose Noguera, Xhaka’s agent, confirms that his client could well be the next one after agreeing terms, but a deal is yet to be done between Sunderland and Leverkusen.
‘We’ve reached an agreement in principle with Sunderland,’ Noguera told Sky Germany. ‘Granit wants to return to the Premier League.
‘Sunderland excites him – he wants to take on this challenge. We hope Leverkusen will respect his wish to leave and that the clubs will find an agreement soon.’
The Athletic report that Xhaka, who is under contract until 2028, has told Leverkusen that he only wants to join Sunderland, despite there being other interested parties in his signature.
Granit Xhaka’s Premier League record
Apps: 225
Goals: 17
Assists: 24
Yellow cards: 57
Red cards: 4
TalkSPORT report that a deal could be done for just £8.7m to bring Xhaka to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have already made a string of significant signings this summer, with Habib Diarra arriving from Strasbourg for £30m and Simon Andingra snapped up from Brighton for £21m.
Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Reinildo Mandava have also been signed from Union SG, Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Jobe Bellingham was sold to Borussia Dortmund for £32m, with Xhaka targeted as a replacement for the teenager.
After a pre-season friendly defeat to Sporting on Monday, Le Bris was asked by the Sunderland Echo if there had been any progress in the transfer market, saying: ‘Not really!
‘The market is always tough. A lot of work, a lot of discussions, a lot of conversations behind the scenes. I think our project is really attractive but it is not the only one.
Sunderland under Regis Le Bris
Games: 51
Won: 23
Drawn: 14
Lost: 14
Goals scored: 64
Goals against: 51
‘We want to reinforce the squad with the best players we can, who fit the identity of the club and mentality of the team. It’s not easy to do this, it’s the same for goalkeeper, striker, pivot… I don’t know. Every position is possible. We’ll see later whether it is possible.’
The Black Cats have further pre-season friendlies against Hearts, Hull, Real Betis, Augsburg and Rayo Vallecano before starting their Premier League campaign on August 16 against West Ham.