Granit Xhaka to Sunderland: How Leverkusen star can transform the Black Cats
Sunderland have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the signing of Granit Xhaka.
It was previously reported that Sunderland reached an agreement with Xhaka, though Leverkusen were reluctant to sanction his exit given the number of players who had already departed.
Erik ten Hag seemed to rule out any possibility of a transfer just days before Fabrizio Romano revealed that a transfer was in place, with the Swiss international now on his way to England.
On paper, it is a remarkable addition for the Wearsiders, who have plenty to get excited about should the deal go through.
Xhaka is a world-class midfielder
It wasn’t too long ago that Sunderland were getting excited about signing George Dobson, and yet here they are making moves to sign someone who finished 16th in last year’s Ballon d’Or rankings.
Xhaka, despite his age, still has a remarkable amount of ability, with his leadership likely to be the biggest difference maker at the Stadium of Light.
The Swiss captain featured 50 times for Leverkusen in their invincible season in 2024 and made 49 appearances the season after, showcasing his importance.
Via FotMob, Xhaka recorded a remarkable 90.8 per cent pass accuracy, with 71.6 per cent of his long balls reaching their desired target.
In terms of progressive passes, Xhaka was in the 98th percentile for players in his position in the past season, as well as the same for forward passes completed.
The 32-year-old has a technical ability that may well have never been seen before by some of the younger supporters on Wearside, and his addition will have a huge influence on the upcoming campaign.
Sunderland ready to give the Premier League a real go
Xhaka will become Sunderland’s seventh signing of the summer, and yet another huge statement of intent from the Black Cats.
However, they are far from finished, with several other areas also being targeted ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris will be delighted by the progress made so far this summer, with plenty more still to come.
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