Sunderland show interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka | OneFootball

Sacha Tavolieri reports that Sunderland has now entered the race for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss midfielder’s future at the BayArena is increasingly looking uncertain as Saudi Arabian side NEOM pushes for his signature. Now, the newly promoted Premier League side is also interested.

Sunderland and Leverkusen are said to be in talks over a deal that would be worth €10m, but reports in Germany say the Bundesliga side want around €8-15m for the 32-year-old. While Sunderland has also offered Xhaka a three-year deal.

If Xhaka does decide to end his return to the Bundesliga prematurely, Leverkusen are well stocked in midfield to replace him. Already at the club are Exequiel Palacios, Robert Andrich, and Aleix Garcia, with the latter brought in to originally relieve the Swiss’ playing time, making him an ideal replacement, while new signing Malik Tillman can also play as a midfielder.

Whether Leverkusen will look to replace Xhaka if he does leave is yet to be seen, especially as head coach Erik ten Hag will favour a 4-2-3-1 this season.

GGFN | Jack Meenan