ENGLAND, UK – Sunderland have pulled off one of the surprise signings of the summer after agreeing a €20 million (£17.5 million) deal to sign Swiss international Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who previously captained Arsenal, will become the Black Cats’ seventh summer signing as part of the club’s bold strategy to re-establish itself in the Premier League.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Xhaka has agreed personal terms and is expected to travel to Wearside to complete the move, signing a contract until 2028.
“Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, here we go!” Romano posted on X. “Deal agreed between all parties involved… One more ambitious signing.”
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, here we go! Deal agreed between all parties involved.Understand fee will be €20m, contract until 2027.Green light from Bayer Leverkusen for the player to fly today and complete his move to #SAFC, one more ambitious signing.
Xhaka’s signing follows an intense negotiation period, with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly holding firm on their €20 million valuation.
The German club had given Sunderland a deadline to finalize the deal or look elsewhere, with sporting director Simon Rolfes stating earlier this week: “Granit’s side is aware of the conditions under which a transfer is possible. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll stay.”
Sunderland have now met those conditions and are understood to have included performance-based add-ons in the final deal.
The former Arsenal star, who played a key role in Switzerland’s Euro 2024 campaign and was a linchpin in Leverkusen’s midfield under Erik ten Hag, had made clear his desire to return to the Premier League.
Despite being a central figure in Leverkusen’s squad, the Bundesliga club’s willingness to negotiate reflected internal concerns after a busy summer window, which has already seen high-profile departures such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Ten Hag, who took over at Leverkusen earlier this year, had expressed frustration at potentially losing another core player.
“His agent can say whatever he likes, but this club has lost three important players and we won’t lose more,” he said in a recent interview. “Granit is a leader. He’s too important for us to sell.”
Nevertheless, Xhaka will now join a Sunderland side under the management of French coach Régis Le Bris, who has already overseen the arrivals of Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi and Reinildo Mandava.
Xhaka’s experience and leadership are expected to add much-needed steel and structure to a young Sunderland side returning to the top flight with high ambitions.
The move also marks a personal revival for the Swiss veteran, who left Arsenal in 2023 after a rollercoaster six-year stint in north London.
His return to England could not only reignite his Premier League career but also cement Sunderland’s status as one of this window’s most quietly ambitious clubs.
Xhaka is expected to undergo a medical in the coming hours, with an official unveiling anticipated later this week.
