Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Mon 21 July 2025 19:53, UK

Sunderland must step up their efforts to sign Granit Xhaka this summer or risk losing out.

The Black Cats earned promotion back to the Premier League via the Championship playoffs last season after eight years away from the top flight.

The last six promoted teams have been relegated straight back to the Championship, with barely a whimper of resistance.

In a bid to avoid adding their name to that list, Sunderland have been spending big this summer on the likes of Simon Adingra, Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi.

Sunderland face competition for Granit Xhaka signing

Granit Xhaka is another name who has appeared on Sunderland’s radar.

The Switzerland international played 297 times across all competitions for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023, lifting two FA Cups and two Community Shields along the way.

And despite approaching his 33rd birthday, Xhaka has shown no signs of slowing down since joining Bayer Leverkusen, with his metronomic midfield exploits proving vital in Die Werkself‘s unbeaten domestic double and run to the Europa League final in 2023/24 — alongside winning the 2024/25 DFL-Supercup.

It was originally thought that the Saudi Pro League accounted for the bulk of Sunderland’s competition when looking to sign Xhaka.

However, according to Sky’s Florian Plettenberg, Fenerbahce have also submitted an offer for the midfielder.

Plettenberg states that Leverkusen have rejected bids from both clubs, but a transfer remains possible if improved terms are sent — which Sunderland and Fenerbahce both intend to do.

Granit Xhaka: A bridge too far for Sunderland?

Football Insider verdict

Turkish clubs have spent big in recent years and this summer, things seem to be ramping up.

Even aside from Galatasaray’s move to make Victor Osimhen’s loan permanent, Fenerbahce — under the management of Jose Mourinho — have paid out on the likes of Sofyan Amrabat and Archie Brown as they seek to win their first Super Lig title since 2014.

Couple that with interest in Xhaka from the Saudi Pro League, and it’s clear that Sunderland may face an uphill battle in getting this deal over the line.

Following links to Jordan Henderson — who eventually joined Brentford rather than his former club — it’s obvious Regis Le Bris wants to add vast Premier League experience to his team in a bid to avoid the drop.

But supporters must now hope the club have other targets identified, with Sunderland having already splashed plenty of cash this summer and now battling some massive budgets in the race for Xhaka.

This one might be a bridge too far.