Sunderland’s ambitious pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka represents one of the most audacious transfer moves of the summer, as the newly-promoted Black Cats aim to make a bold statement in their return to the Premier League. The 32-year-old Swiss international, a former Arsenal captain and Bundesliga champion, brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and technical quality that could significantly elevate Régis Le Bris’ youthful squad. As negotiations continue, with Xhaka reportedly keen on joining Sunderland, here’s a look at how his arrival could transform the team’s prospects for the 2025-26 season.
Sunderland are on the verge of striking an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the signing of Granit Xhaka 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/nMU0AM8XZB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 22, 2025
Leadership and Experience in a Young Squad
Sunderland’s current squad is brimming with youthful talent, including the likes of Chris Rigg, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, and Enzo Le Fée, all of whom are under 24. While this group offers dynamism and potential, the Premier League’s intensity demands seasoned leadership to navigate the challenges of a relegation battle. Xhaka, with 297 Premier League appearances, 137 caps for Switzerland, and a key role in Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title win in 2023-24, is the epitome of top-flight pedigree.
His time at Arsenal, where he served as captain, and his leadership role in Leverkusen’s dressing room under Xabi Alonso highlight his ability to guide younger players. European football expert Raphael Honigstein noted that Xhaka was “one of the main reasons why Leverkusen have gone from being a very good team to a superb side,” citing his ability to instill a sense of togetherness and mentality. For Sunderland, Xhaka could act as a mentor, providing stability and composure to a squad lacking Premier League experience, ensuring they remain competitive in high-pressure moments.
For so so many years everyone said we lacked leaders on the pitch. This from Xhaka is the leadership his peers and coaches all see but so many don't see or appreciate the value of it. 👏🏾👏🏾 #ARSLEE #COYG pic.twitter.com/iHX7xIzxuf
— Chale Variant (@ctrlaltrelive) January 6, 2020
Tactical Versatility and Midfield Control
Xhaka’s tactical intelligence and versatility make him an ideal fit for Le Bris’ system, which emphasizes high energy and structured play. At Leverkusen, Xhaka reinvented himself in a deeper midfield role, acting as the metronome for Alonso’s possession-heavy side. His ability to dictate tempo, distribute with precision, and break up opposition plays would add a new dimension to Sunderland’s midfield.
With recent signings like Diarra, Sadiki, and Le Fée, Sunderland have bolstered their midfield options, but Xhaka’s experience would complement their creativity. Posts on X have highlighted the strength of a potential midfield unit featuring Xhaka alongside Dan Neil, Rigg, Diarra, and Sadiki, describing it as “some nice options” that could outshine the midfields of other recently promoted sides like Leeds or Burnley. Xhaka’s ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder would allow Le Bris to adapt formations, whether deploying a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, providing tactical flexibility against varied opponents.His passing range—evidenced by 29 assists in 297 Arsenal appearances—and defensive discipline would stabilize Sunderland’s engine room, allowing younger players like Rigg to focus on attacking roles. Xhaka’s knack for long-range goals, as seen during his Arsenal tenure, could also add a scoring threat from midfield, complementing the attacking prowess of new signing Armand Laurienté.
A Granit Xhaka beauty against Man United, 3 years ago today 🚀🚀🚀pic.twitter.com/oRql9MxRfI
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) April 23, 2025
Boosting Survival Chances
For promoted clubs, Premier League survival often hinges on blending youth with experience. Sunderland’s significant summer spending—over £110 million on players like Laurienté, Diarra, and Adingra—shows their ambition, but Xhaka’s addition would be a “stratospheric signing” that could give them a “huge survival boost,” according to Sky Sports. Unlike at Arsenal and Leverkusen, where he thrived in possession-heavy systems, Xhaka’s adaptability would suit Sunderland’s likely counter-attacking, pragmatic approach as underdogs. His ability to remain composed under pressure, as demonstrated during Arsenal’s title challenges and Leverkusen’s double-winning campaign, would be invaluable in tight matches.
Moreover, Xhaka’s leadership could rally the squad during inevitable rough patches. His resilience in overcoming controversies at Arsenal, including a public fallout with fans, showcases his mental toughness—qualities that could inspire a young Sunderland side facing the Premier League’s steep learning curve.
5 years ago today, Granit Xhaka was stripped of the club captaincy for his angry reaction as The Arsenal drew 2-2 with Palace at the Emirates.
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) October 27, 2024
What a turnaround Granit had. #AFCpic.twitter.com/AkS5cEVVEL
A Statement of Intent
Sunderland’s pursuit of Xhaka, driven by owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and director of football Florent Ghisolfi, reflects a shift from their traditional youth-focused recruitment model. A reported £15 million deal for a player of Xhaka’s caliber, despite competition from Fenerbahçe and Inter Milan, underscores the club’s ambition to not just survive but compete in the top flight. Xhaka’s reported enthusiasm for the move, with his agent confirming an agreement in principle and his desire to “take on this challenge,” suggests he sees Sunderland as a project worth joining.
Challenges and Considerations
While Xhaka’s potential impact is undeniable, challenges remain. Leverkusen’s reluctance to sell, with his contract running until 2028, means Sunderland may need to meet their £15 million valuation—a significant outlay for a 32-year-old with limited resale value. Additionally, conflicting reports suggest Xhaka’s family may be hesitant to leave Germany, which could complicate negotiations. However, recent updates indicate Xhaka has informed Leverkusen he “only wants to join” Sunderland, boosting hopes of a deal.
Granit Xhaka informs Bayer Leverkusen he only wants to join Sunderland as club-to-club talks continue. Agreement now in place between 32-year-old and Sunderland. German side have been asked by Switzerland midfielder to close deal soon. Via, @David_Ornstein 🔴🇨🇭 #SAFC pic.twitter.com/pPLbthQEOg
— Safcrepublic (@safcrepublic) July 22, 2025
Conclusion
Granit Xhaka’s potential signing could be a game-changer for Sunderland, offering leadership, tactical nous, and Premier League know-how to a talented but inexperienced squad. His ability to anchor the midfield, mentor young stars like Rigg, and provide stability in high-stakes matches would significantly enhance the Black Cats’ chances of survival. As negotiations progress, securing Xhaka would not only strengthen Sunderland on the pitch but also send a powerful message about their ambitions in the Premier League. With the season opener against West Ham looming on August 17, time is of the essence to finalize this blockbuster move.