Granit Xhaka to Sunderland latest! Transfer twist, money battle and where all parties stand

Sunderland Echo

James Copley is back with the latest update on Sunderland's ambitious pursuit of Granit Xhaka.   With the club pushing hard and Xhaka reportedly keen, what’s standing in the way? Why are Bayer Leverkusen playing hardball? And what does this move say about Sunderland’s ambition in the Premier League?  👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to subscribe for all things SAFC!

Transcript

00:00Hello Sunderland fans, yesterday I created a video on why fans should be excited about the Granite Shaka links

00:05as it is a symbol really of how seriously the club's ownership is taking the transfer window.

00:12In that video I outlined that a deal is not yet done and there's a long way to go

00:16and there were many of you in the comments who said the same thing

00:19but that begs the question what is the latest on the Granite Shaka deal to Sunderland?

00:23For me, I think there are both reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic.

00:27Shaka wants the move, Sunderland want the move and so does Shaka's agent.

00:31Shaka also seems like the type of forceful personality that would be able to navigate his way out of Bayer Leverkusen

00:38should he wish to do so.

00:40You would hope, in that sense, that where there's a will there's a way

00:44and that Bayer would not want to keep an unhappy player on their books ahead of the upcoming season.

00:50However, on the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen have made it very clear that they don't want to sell.

00:54The comments of their head coach, Eric Ten Hag, and Leverkusen's sporting director

00:59have thrown water on the flames somewhat.

01:02Shaka has three years left on his current deal and is an important player

01:05and I think there's also a PR standpoint to look at as well as a sporting perspective.

01:10Bayer Leverkusen don't want to lose another key player.

01:13They've already seen several high-profile departures this summer

01:16and it would be a very bad look and a bad look for Ten Hag's squad

01:21to lose their captain, leader and talisman.

01:24Sunderland have reportedly had a bid of around 10 million euros rejected

01:29with Bayer Leverkusen holding out for around 20 million euros.

01:33Will Sunderland go that high for a player who will be 33 in September?

01:38I suspect they will offer some more money

01:40but will they meet Bayer Leverkusen's lofty valuation?

01:44As always, transfers do come down to money.

01:48And if you cast your minds back to last summer as well,

01:51this perhaps has echoes of the Alexandra-Mendy deal.

01:55The striker was desperate to leave

01:57and his agent made massive amounts of noise about doing so,

02:01specifically naming Sunderland alongside the player,

02:04specifically naming Sunderland.

02:06But his club blocked the move

02:07and it did rumble on for a good while

02:10before Sunderland settled on other targets

02:13and he ended up staying at his French club,

02:16Cannes, for the remainder of the season.

02:19And he's only just moved this summer.

02:22So if Sunderland do want to add someone with profile

02:25and experience like Xhaka,

02:28time is probably ticking for them to make a deal

02:30before the need to move elsewhere.

02:33But I think this is still definitely want to watch.

02:36There's still interest from Sunderland.

02:38Obviously, Xhaka wants the move.

02:39His agent wants the move.

02:41It does come down to now

02:42whether Sunderland can cut a deal with Bayer Leverkusen,

02:46who obviously have their own optics to consider as well.

02:51But I think it's definitely want to watch.

02:53Catch you on the next one.

02:54Now

03:02you

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