Sunderland agrees personal terms with Granit Xhaka

In a significant development for the English football landscape, Sunderland, a Premier League newcomer, is on the verge of securing a deal for Granit Xhaka, the 32-year-old former captain of Arsenal. The club is actively working on finalizing the transfer after reportedly agreeing on personal terms with Xhaka. This move comes as Sunderland's head coach, Regis Le Bris, is keen on enhancing the squad with players who have Premier League experience. Xhaka, who previously played for Swiss clubs Basel and Borussia Monchengladbach before joining Arsenal, is well-positioned to add value to Sunderland's campaign. Granit Xhaka is recognized for his combative style on the pitch and has had considerable international experience, having been capped 137 times by Switzerland. His last club, Arsenal, saw him make a significant impact over seven years, culminating in 297 appearances. His history includes winning the league title in his first season with the Gunners, showcasing his ability to perform at high levels in competitive environments. Moreover, during the last season, he contributed with 49 appearances in all competitions, 10 of which were in the prestigious Champions League. Despite his accolades, Xhaka's tenure at Arsenal faced challenges, including a notable incident that led to him being stripped of the captaincy in November 2019 after a conflict with fans. However, Sunderland's management appears undeterred by past controversies, focusing instead on his experience and skill set, which are seen as crucial for helping the club adapt back to Premier League competition after their recent promotion from the Championship. Sunderland has already made significant investments this summer, totaling £107 million with six new signings aimed at fortifying the team's competitive stature in the top flight. The flow of the transfer process is carefully managed as Sunderland seeks not only to finalize Xhaka's acquisition but also to establish him as a linchpin in their efforts to remain competitive in the league. The agreement on personal terms is a positive sign that negotiations might be smooth, as both sides appear motivated to see the transfer through to completion over the coming days. With the ongoing dynamics of the transfer market, the final steps, including fee negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen, will be crucial for Sunderland to secure the talented midfielder.