Bayer Leverkusen captain Granit Xhaka has completed a deal with an English club to return to the Premier League after a successful spell in the Bundesliga.
The 33-year-old previously played for Arsenal from 2016 until his move to Leverkusen in the summer of 2023. He was not expected to leave the BayArena after his significant role in helping the team return to the top flight over the past two years.
However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland has reached an agreement with Leverkusen to purchase Xhaka for up to €20 million.
Xhaka will travel to England in the next few hours to officially complete the deal and sign a long-term contract that will keep him with the Black Cats for three seasons.
Xhaka’s move to Sunderland came despite a significant Saudi offer from newly promoted NEOM FC, but the player ultimately decided to stay in Europe and move to the Premier League.
Xhaka made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and providing nine assists, leading the pharmaceutical team to the domestic double and the German Super Cup.
