Régis Le Bris sets out quiet Sunderland plans, says Granit Xhaka future is closed | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris says Sunderland are pushing to strengthen but will keep their work quiet to stay efficient, and has called discussion over Granit Xhaka’s future closed.

The Black Cats lost 4-2 to Liverpool in Nashville on Saturday, their second pre-season friendly. Thomas Meunier is the only summer signing so far as Sunderland target stability. Sunderland Echo notes he wants three or four core additions before the deadline, potentially six or seven signings overall.

Le Bris said the club are working hard behind the scenes and must operate under the radar, otherwise it becomes a mess. He added this window would probably differ from last year, when they signed 14 players, and that it will not be the case now. He said they will see what happens.

Addressing Xhaka for the first time this summer, he said: "This topic is closed." The head coach described his captain as a great leader who loves Sunderland and wants to stay.

Chelsea had made a bid to reunite Xhaka with new boss Xabi Alonso, and though the midfielder was initially open to it he told Sunderland he would remain. During Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarter finals, Xhaka said the club had felt like home from day one, that his family were very happy, that he had decided to stay because family comes first, and that he was ready to make history with them.

Source: Sunderland Echo