It’s official that Granit Xhaka is coming back to the Premier League, and not many would’ve predicted Sunderland as the destination but here we are. The deal is agreed already.
Sunderland and Bayer Leverkusen have agreed on a €20 million transfer, with a contract that will keep the Swiss international at the Stadium of Light until 2027.
Fabrizio Romano, always the first to drop the updates, delivered the famous “Here we go” that made it official. And now, Xhaka is already preparing for his flight to the UK, with a medical expected in the next 24 hours. This is more than a signing. Sunderland aren’t just here to stay in the Premier League, they’re here to compete.
This Signing Says a Lot
For a club that only recently clawed its way back into the top flight, bringing in someone of Xhaka’s stature feels like a major moment. It’s not just about filling a gap in midfield. It’s about changing perception internally, externally, and among the fans.
Xhaka isn’t just experienced. He’s been through it all. He’s captained Arsenal. He’s clashed with fans. He’s won FA Cups. He’s reinvented himself in Germany. And now, he’s set to become one of Sunderland’s biggest-ever signings.
There’s ambition written all over this transfer. Sunderland could’ve taken a cautious route this summer, held onto what they had, signed a few loan players, hoped for the best. But that’s not the story here.
The club has spent over £100 million already, bringing in names like Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra, and others. Now they’ve added a battle-hardened general to lead that youthful core.
How Xhaka Found His Way Back to England
Let’s not forget where this man has been. Granit Xhaka started out at Basel, made a name for himself at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and then took on the massive challenge of Arsenal.
His time in North London wad complicated. Some days he was a midfield anchor and sometimes he was a red-card magnet. People had different opinions about Xhaka, but one thing about him is that he never hid. He always talked, tried and always gave his best.
In 2019, things went wrong between Xhaka and the Arsenal fans. They booed him, and he reacted the way that make things worse. He got upset and left the pitch angry.
After that, many people thought he would leave the club. It looked like that was his last time in England. Most players would’ve left after that, but Xhaka didn’t. He stayed, worked hard and things got better. It wasn’t easy, but it showed the kind of person he is.
He even had one of his best seasons before joining Bayer Leverkusen.
In Germany, he took it up a level. Under Xabi Alonso, he became more than just a box-to-box disruptor. He became a tempo-setter, a leader of a record-breaking Leverkusen side that went unbeaten in the Bundesliga and won the DFB-Pokal. They even reached the Europa League final.
Xhaka was central to it all, not just physically, but mentally. Alonso called him “a pillar.” Teammates listened when he spoke. That’s who Sunderland are getting now.
Ten Hag Didn’t Want Him But Sunderland Gave Him a Chance
Just a few days ago, this deal didn’t look likely. Leverkusen’s new manager, Erik ten Hag, wasn’t willing to let Xhaka go. “He’s too important,” he told reporters. “A leader. Not for sale.”
It's a good point, Leverkusen had already lost Frimpong, Wirtz, and Tah. Selling Xhaka too? That would have been like removing the engine from a moving car.
But Sunderland were patient and persistent. They met Leverkusen’s valuation of €20 million, didn’t mess around with lowball offers, and showed real interest, not just in the player, but in what he represents. And behind closed doors, Xhaka was clear.
He wanted this. A return to England, a club with vision, a deal where he could be more than a number. That played a big role in shifting Leverkusen’s stance.
By the end of last week, the door had opened. This weekend, the deal was done. And now, he’s packing for Wearside.
What’s Next for Him?
Now that the agreement is in place and everyone’s on board, it’s just about finishing the formalities. Xhaka is expected to land in England today or early tomorrow morning.
The medical has already been prepared, and unless something unexpected happens, the contract will be signed right after.
Once that’s sorted, Sunderland will make the official announcement. Expect the usual club statement, unveiling photos, interview clips, probably a short hype video on social media. But what comes after that might matter even more.
Xhaka isn’t here to sit on the bench or ease into things. He’s likely to join the first-team squad straight away and begin training immediately. Pre-season friendlies might offer him a quick run-out, but the real target is the Premier League opener.
The coaching staff are already thinking about how he’ll slot into Régis Le Bris’s midfield setup, most likely as a deep-lying playmaker who can shield the backline while dictating tempo.
And when he steps out at the Stadium of Light for the first time, don’t be surprised if the roar says it all. Sunderland fans have been waiting for a signing like this for years.
Why Signing Xhaka Is A Good Deal For Sunderland
There are two types of transfers in football, the ones that fill a gap and the ones that change the entire season. This one feels like the second. Xhaka doesn’t just play a midfield position, he becomes the standard-setter for everything Sunderland want to be.
He brings experience, but it’s more than that. He’s got the kind of authority that makes younger players pay attention. He’s vocal in training and leads by example on the pitch. And he’s been around long enough to know when to slow things down, when to push, and when to just manage a game. That kind of experience is huge in the Premier League, especially for a newly promoted team.
Tactically, he suits Sunderland’s approach under Le Bris. They aren't the kind of team that rush game, they want to play with tactics, possession, purpose. And that’s exactly what Xhaka excels at.
He won’t be bombing into the box or scoring wonder goals every week. What he will do is keep things calm, connect the play, and let the others around him thrive.
His Wages, Leadership, and What He Leaves Behind
This move will likely make Xhaka Sunderland’s highest-paid player ever and you know what? That’s fine because this isn’t just a numbers game.
This is about building a team around a few key figures who can drive standards every single day.
Younger players like Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki are still learning. Enzo Le Fée has big potential but will need support adapting.
Even someone like Simon Adingra, despite his talent, benefits from having an experienced leader in the dressing room. Xhaka can be that figure. He’s been there. He’s seen it. And he’s still got more to give.
What the Fans Are Saying
If you scroll through social media now, Sunderland fans are buzzing. There’s a real sense of disbelief. Not in a negative way, just genuine shock that this kind of deal is happening.
“Didn’t think we had the pull to land a guy like Xhaka,” one fan tweeted. “But here we are. What a window.”
Another posted a photo of Xhaka in an Arsenal shirt with the caption: “Didn’t love him when he played against us, but I’ll take him in red and white now.”
Even Arsenal fans have been chiming in, mostly with praise. One wrote: “Fair play. I doubted him for years but he’s turned his career around. Sunderland are lucky.”
It’s rare to see a transfer move that gets fans talking this much, But that’s what happens when you sign a player with real history and a point to prove.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
There’s still work to do. The medical has to be completed, and nothing is official until pen meets paper. But assuming it all goes as planned, Sunderland are about to enter the season with a midfield built around Granit Xhaka.
And what a difference that could make.
We often talk about survival being the goal for promoted teams. Stay up. Steady the ship. Don’t rock the boat. But Sunderland? They’ve got other ideas. They’re spending money, attracting serious names, and building something that feels long-term.
Xhaka isn’t a short-term gamble. He’s a foundational piece. And once the season gets going, we’ll see just how much influence he can have, not just in results, but in mindset, culture, and belief.
For now, though, Sunderland fans can do something they haven’t done in a while: get excited. Because a Premier League veteran, a leader, and a proven winner is coming.