Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag hits back at Granit Xhaka’s agent over Sunderland transfer claims

Leverkusen boss ten Hag claims that the Swiss midfielder will not be joining the Black Cats this summer

Granit Xhaka, a midfielder from Switzerland who has been strongly linked to a move to the Premier League, will not be able to join Sunderland this summer, according to Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag.

The Black Cats, who have spent over £100 million this summer and are eager to bolster their squad with top-flight experience in order to avoid relegation next season, had looked to be closing in on a deal for the former captain of Arsenal.

Ten Hag, the former manager of Manchester United, is opposing the proposed transfer. Since taking over from Xabi Alonso at the end of the previous campaign, Ten Hag has already seen Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah leave.

“The agent can say whatever they want, but this club has sold three key players, and we won’t sell any more,” the Dutchman told reporters. That isn’t feasible.

Grandit is a capable leader. He has three more years left on his five-year contract. We can’t let him go because he is too important.”

The sales of Wirtz and Frimpong to Liverpool might bring Leverkusen up to £145 million, although Jonathan Tah left on a free transfer to join direct rivals Bayern Munich.

For £35 million, the German team recently acquired Jarell Quansah from Liverpool to replace Tah, and Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven to replace Wirtz.

Xhaka, 32, played for Basel and Borussia Monchengladbach before joining Arsenal for seven years, during which time he won the FA Cup twice.

In 2023, he moved from Arsenal to Leverkusen, where he played his first season and helped the German team win the Bundesliga. He made 49 appearances last season across all competitions, including 10 in the Champions League, but he is reportedly interested in joining Sunderland, who advanced to the top division through the play-offs.

Following the recent failure of a move for Sassuolo attacker Armand Lauriente, the Black Cats are anticipated to continue pursuing a move for Xhaka, with other acquisitions anticipated.

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