Xhaka to Sunderland: Transfer fee, salary and likely shirt number for Leverkusen star

Granit Xhaka is edging closer to becoming Sunderland's seventh summer signing.

Xhaka, 32, has amassed a wealth of experience at the very top level in football, winning the double with Leverkusen two seasons ago.

Several seasons in the Premier League led to his Arsenal exit, where he earned an excellent reputation for his leadership on the pitch.

Now, the Swiss international is said to have reached an agreement with Sunderland for a summer transfer, in what would be a major coup for Regis Le Bris' side.

Sunderland ready to break strategy with Xhaka signing

The Black Cats tend to focus their finances on young, up-and-coming players, while adding some experience through the loan system or free transfers.

However, to acquire the services of Xhaka, Sunderland may have to pay upwards of £17million to tempt Leverkusen into a sale.

That isn't the only outlay they will need to make this transfer happen, with Xhaka also on a reported £68,000-per-week in the Bundesliga, as per Caplogy.

The Wearsiders have already upped their wage budget to secure the club-record arrival of Habib Diarra, with several others on a respectable salary ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Xhaka has ideal shirt number waiting for him on Wearside

Since 2017, Xhaka has adopted the number 34 shirt as his own; a number very rarely utilised by those at the Stadium of Light.

In fact, recently departed Caden Kelly was the last player to wear the shirt with that number, with names such as Dwight Yorke, Kevin Kyle and George McCartney also featuring.

Sunderland have the number ready to go for the Swiss midfielder should the deal be ratified by Bayer Leverkusen in the coming days or weeks.

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