Granit Xhaka's Agent Confirms Move To Sunderland After Agreement In Principle

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Granit Xhaka is on the verge of joining Sunderland after reaching a preliminary agreement, according to his agent. Despite having three years left on his Bayer Leverkusen contract, Xhaka is keen on returning to the Premier League. The Swiss midfielder previously played for Arsenal, where he spent seven years and made 225 appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing 24 assists.

Sunderland aims to bolster their squad with experienced players like Xhaka to avoid relegation back to the Championship. The club has been active in the transfer market, seeking players who can provide Premier League experience. If Xhaka joins, his extensive experience could be invaluable for Sunderland's ambitions.

During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka was instrumental in their successful 2023-24 season. The team secured both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal trophy without losing a single domestic match. His performance in Germany highlighted his capabilities as a top-tier midfielder.

In the previous Bundesliga season, Xhaka led Leverkusen in several key areas. He had more touches than any other player on the team, with 3,117 touches—463 more than Jonathan Tah, who was second. Additionally, he completed more passes (2,500) than anyone else at the club.

His passing accuracy was also noteworthy; only two players surpassed his impressive 90.8% accuracy rate. These statistics underscore his importance to Leverkusen's midfield and highlight what he could bring to Sunderland if the move materialises.

Agent's Statement on Potential Transfer

Xhaka's agent, Jose Noguera, expressed optimism about the potential transfer: "We've reached an agreement in principle with Sunderland," he told Sky in Germany. "Granit wants to return to the Premier League. Sunderland excites him - he wants to take on this challenge."

Noguera hopes that Bayer Leverkusen will honour Xhaka’s desire to leave and that both clubs will finalise an agreement soon. This move would mark Xhaka's return to English football after leaving Arsenal for Germany earlier this year.

Xhaka’s return to England could significantly impact Sunderland’s midfield strength and overall team dynamics. His experience in top-flight football makes him a valuable asset for any team aiming for stability and success in the Premier League.