Ten Hag Asserts Xhaka's Exit To Sunderland Is Not Feasible For Bayer Leverkusen

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Erik ten Hag has firmly stated that Bayer Leverkusen will not entertain the idea of selling Granit Xhaka this summer. Despite claims from Xhaka's agent about an agreement with Sunderland, Ten Hag is adamant about retaining the midfielder. "The agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three players go," Ten Hag told Bild. "We won't be letting any more leave—that's not possible."

Xhaka returned to Germany in impressive fashion, contributing significantly to Leverkusen's success under Xabi Alonso. Last season, he provided seven assists and scored two goals in the league. His efforts helped the team finish 13 points behind Bayern Munich. Previously, during his time at Arsenal, Xhaka played 225 matches in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals and providing 24 assists.

Leverkusen's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes, echoed Ten Hag's sentiments regarding Xhaka's importance. "I've repeatedly said that Granit is an important leadership figure," Rolfes stated. He emphasised the alignment between himself and the coach on this matter. "We're generally in constant dialogue with our players," he added.

Ten Hag highlighted Xhaka's leadership qualities as crucial to maintaining team morale and structure. "It's very clear—Granit is a leader," he remarked. The midfielder signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen and still has three years remaining. Ten Hag stressed that losing another key player would disrupt the squad's culture.

Rolfes further explained that any potential transfer would require agreement from all parties involved: the club, the player, and any interested team. "In the end, it's always a three-party situation," he noted. This underscores Leverkusen's commitment to keeping Xhaka unless all conditions are met.

Ten Hag faces challenges as he begins his tenure at Leverkusen, having already lost Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah. He is determined to prevent further departures that could weaken the team's core dynamics. Retaining Xhaka is seen as vital for sustaining their competitive edge in upcoming seasons.

The insistence on keeping Granit Xhaka reflects Bayer Leverkusen's strategy to maintain stability within their squad amid changes in management and player turnover. Both Ten Hag and Rolfes are committed to ensuring that key figures like Xhaka remain integral parts of their future plans.