In a summer already brimming with high-profile transfers, few moves have surprised fans and pundits alike as much as the emerging reports suggesting that Granit Xhaka — the Swiss midfield dynamo and former Arsenal stalwart — is poised to trade the Bundesliga’s top tier for the rough-and-tumble of the English Championship. Sunderland, a club with a storied past and aspirations of Premier League return, are believed to be closing in on what could be one of the most audacious signings in their modern history.
Xhaka’s proposed move from Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland, initially reported by sources close to the North East club, is not just an eyebrow-raiser — it’s a seismic shock. With Leverkusen fresh off a title-winning season under Xabi Alonso, and Xhaka playing a pivotal role in their midfield orchestration, few would have predicted such a left-field career pivot. So what has led to this unexpected development? Why would a Champions League-bound midfielder in his prime years opt for a second-tier English club?
To answer these questions, we must peel back the layers of Xhaka’s career, his motivations, Sunderland’s ambitions, and the unseen forces at play in modern football.
From Arsenal Redemption to Leverkusen Glory
Granit Xhaka’s career arc is nothing short of dramatic. Having captained Borussia Mönchengladbach and the Swiss national team with a blend of steel and strategic vision, he arrived at Arsenal in 2016 amid high expectations. Though he endured a rocky start in the Premier League — including disciplinary issues, fan altercations, and being stripped of the captaincy — he eventually rebuilt his reputation under Mikel Arteta.
By the time he left Arsenal in 2023 for Leverkusen, Xhaka had evolved into a composed, intelligent midfield general. Under Xabi Alonso, he played a central role in Leverkusen’s stunning 2023/24 campaign, which saw them clinch their first-ever Bundesliga title, breaking Bayern Munich’s long-standing dominance.
Xhaka’s performances were lauded for their maturity, discipline, and leadership. He was Alonso’s on-field lieutenant — dictating tempo, shielding the back line, and mentoring younger players. By every measure, he was thriving in Germany.
So why leave?
The Sunderland Project More Than Just Romance
Sunderland AFC is no stranger to Premier League life. Once a mainstay in England’s top flight, the Black Cats have endured a tumultuous past decade — with successive relegations, financial woes, and management instability. But recent years have signaled a revival.
Under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and guided by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, Sunderland have rebuilt with a modern footballing philosophy: investing in youth, employing data-driven recruitment, and installing a coherent tactical identity. Their return to the Championship has seen gradual progress, and their narrow miss in the 2023/24 playoffs suggests a club on the brink of something bigger.
The Xhaka pursuit, however, signals a shift in gear. This is no longer just about long-term development — this is Sunderland making a statement.
Sources suggest that Sunderland’s hierarchy views Xhaka as the missing link in their midfield: a battle-hardened veteran who can guide a promising young squad over the line and back into the Premier League. The project pitched to Xhaka reportedly centers on him becoming the cornerstone of a “football revolution” in the North East — not just a player, but a leader, mentor, and culture-setter.
A Personal Challenge Xhaka’s Motivations
To understand why a player like Xhaka would entertain, let alone accept, such a move, one must understand his mentality. Throughout his career, Xhaka has shown a proclivity for embracing challenges that others avoid.
During his tumultuous Arsenal tenure, he never sought the easy route. After being booed off by his own fans and stripped of the captaincy, most would have walked away. Xhaka stayed, fought for his place, and left on good terms, with many fans lauding his transformation. In short, Xhaka thrives on proving people wrong.
Insiders close to the Swiss international say he’s been “fascinated” by the idea of lifting Sunderland back to the Premier League and being remembered as a modern club legend. His admiration for the club’s history, their passionate fanbase, and the challenge of leading a sleeping giant back to the spotlight has reportedly stirred something inside him.
There’s also a family element. Xhaka’s wife, Leonita, has roots in the UK, and the family reportedly enjoyed their time in London. A return to England, especially in a quieter, family-friendly city like Sunderland, is believed to be part of the equation.
Sunderland’s Ambitions Go Beyond Xhaka
Sunderland’s pursuit of Xhaka is not occurring in isolation. The club has already been active in the transfer market, securing key targets in defense and attack, including a £5 million deal for rising French winger Thomas Raux and a promising loan deal with Manchester United for teenage forward Omari Forson.
Adding Xhaka to that mix transforms the narrative. No longer are Sunderland just “building slowly” — they’re making a legitimate push for automatic promotion. Club insiders describe the 2025/26 season as a “pivotal chapter” in their long-term strategy. They believe the Championship is at its most competitive in years, with heavyweights like Leeds, Watford, and Middlesbrough also investing heavily. The margins are razor-thin, and Sunderland intend to tilt the balance in their favor.
Financial Muscle and Premier League Lure
One of the most surprising elements in this transfer saga is Sunderland’s ability to fund the deal. Xhaka is reportedly on £90,000-a-week at Leverkusen — far above the average Championship wage structure. So how are the Black Cats pulling this off?
The answer lies in a mixture of strategic planning, external investment, and performance-based incentives. Sources reveal that Sunderland have secured a sponsorship boost tied to potential Premier League promotion, with bonuses designed to offset the wage bill. Xhaka’s proposed deal, while lucrative, is said to include several conditional clauses: automatic salary increase upon promotion, and a relegation-release clause should they fall short again.
Leverkusen, for their part, appear willing to sanction the move due to Alonso’s shift in tactical direction and the emergence of younger midfield talents. The club’s recent acquisition of Argentine wonderkid Pablo Solari has pushed Xhaka down the pecking order, albeit respectfully. The mutual respect between Xhaka and Leverkusen means the club won’t stand in his way if he seeks a new challenge.
Championship Physicality Can Xhaka Cope
The English Championship is a brutal, unforgiving league. Matches come thick and fast, the pitches are often less forgiving, and refereeing is more lenient. It’s a far cry from the tactical precision of the Bundesliga.
Some skeptics argue that Xhaka’s style may not suit the league. His tendency to operate at a methodical pace, his occasional disciplinary issues, and the rigors of two games a week could pose problems.
However, others argue the opposite. The Championship is crying out for intelligent midfielders who can control tempo. With his range of passing, positional awareness, and sheer presence, Xhaka could dominate the midfield battle week in and week out. Add to that his leadership credentials, and he might just be the steady hand Sunderland needs to navigate the stormy waters of the Championship marathon.
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