Keith Wyness drops verdict on Granit Xhaka quitting Sunderland in January
Granit Xhaka is being tipped to stay at Sunderland until the end of the season despite January transfer interest.
That is according to ex-Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Sunderland will do everything in their power to keep Xhaka at the club.
Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, becoming captain of the club on his arrival.
Amid a fine start to life at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table, Juventus are one club interested in signing Xhaka in January.
Granit Xhaka ‘enjoying’ life at Sunderland
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks any departure for Xhaka will be next summer.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness doesn’t believe Sunderland will hand Xhaka an improved contract in the future to keep him on Wearside.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, again, I think, look, Sunderland are happy with the way they’ve started the season. They all know how influential Xhaka has been and he really has been.
“And it seems like he’s really enjoying this part of it. Although there’s interest, I think, again, if there was to be anything at all, it would be in the summer. I don’t expect anything to happen at all short term in January.
“I think Xhaka is going to see the season through and that would give Sunderland time to look for replacements. There aren’t many Granit Xhaka’s around with experience, but there are a few. And so, you know, they’d be able to replace him with somebody.
“But I think he’s enjoying the project, which is a word I hate to use, but I think he is. And I think he’s going to be there. And Sunderland will do all they can because they’re really feeling positive and moving forward.
“And they can see a future with this just now. But he’s a crucial part of that squad and they know it. And so I think they will push the boat out should they have to, but I don’t think it’s necessarily a contract renewal.
“I think they’ll just do all they can to keep any advice away. And again, it does smack a little bit to me of an agent placing a story in the media right now. But, you know, it’s not the first time we’ve discussed that before.”
Sunderland target Lazio ace
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris wants to sign Matteo Guendouzi in the January transfer window to add to his midfield options.
The former Arsenal midfielder has worked under Le Bris before, in what could be a factor in Guendouzi choosing his next club.
Guendouzi currently plays for Serie A club Lazio, and the Italian side have financial problems which could prompt a sale.