Sunderland's Ambitious Summer Continues with Xhaka Capture

Sunderland AFC have finalized a £13m upfront deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Swiss international Granit Xhaka, with £4m in performance-based add-ons potentially raising the total to £17m. The 32-year-old midfielder is scheduled to undergo medical tests at the Stadium of Light this week before signing a three-year contract.

Xhaka's Premier League Homecoming

• Returns to English football after 297 appearances for Arsenal (2016-2023)
• Captained Gunners during 2019-20 season
• Won 2 FA Cups (2017, 2020) in North London
• Helped Leverkusen claim historic 2023-24 Bundesliga title

Financial Context of the Deal

This transfer pushes Sunderland's summer expenditure to £114m, offset by £37m from sales including:

• Jobe Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
• Tommy Watson (Crystal Palace)

Tactical Implications

Xhaka joins manager Michael Beale's midfield rebuild alongside:

1. Enzo Le Fée (Rennes)
2. Habib Diarra (Strasbourg)
3. Noah Sadiki (Anderlecht)
4. Simon Adingra (Brighton loan)

Expert Analysis

"Xhaka's leadership and tactical discipline make him ideal for a newly-promoted side," said BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella. "His experience winning trophies at Arsenal and breaking Bayern's Bundesliga stranglehold with Leverkusen could prove vital in Sunderland's survival bid."

Fan Reactions

SAFC Twitter reactions:

• "Proper statement signing after promotion!"
• "That 2024 Bundesliga-winning mentality is exactly what we need"
• "Remember his rocket goals against Spurs? More of that please!"

Upcoming Fixtures

Xhaka could debut in Sunderland's Premier League opener vs Manchester City on August 11.