Granit Xhaka to Sunderland is done?! £18m transfer by bombshell Fabrizio Romano explained!

Sunderland Echo

Sunderland are on the verge of completing a sensational £18million deal for Granit Xhaka – and we’ve got all the details.   Fabrizio Romano has said “Here we go!” – so what’s next? Why has the Bayer Leverkusen and ex-Arsenal midfielder chosen the Stadium of Light over European football? And what does this mean for Alan Browne, Nectar Triantis and Sunderland’s Premier League survival hopes?  In this video, we break down:  – The full story behind Sunderland's move for Xhaka – What Fabrizio Romano has revealed about the deal – Xhaka’s Premier League and Champions League experience – How this transfer signals a major shift in Sunderland’s strategy  Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more Sunderland AFC transfer news and analysis!

Transcript

00:00Hello everybody, welcome back to a special breaking news edition of the Red and White Round.

00:06We've got some huge news coming out of Wayside today.

00:09Sunderland are closing in on a deal to sign that man Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen.

00:16According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, a deal worth around £18m has now been agreed between Sunderland and Bayern Munich.

00:24Xhaka is expected to fly into the UK for a medical and to finalise his personal terms on a two-year contract running until 2027.

00:35The Swiss International made it clear last week that he was more than ready to make the move to the Premier League.

00:40And after days of negotiations, Sunderland have upped their offer, which Bayer Leverkusen have now accepted.

00:46Romano posted on social media, Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, here we go.

00:51So now we're waiting on the final stages to be completed.

00:54But this looks all but done.

00:57However, Sunderland fans might have a little bit of PTSD from the Armand Lorient a transfer.

01:03So of course, until you see that scarf picture, it isn't done.

01:06But all signs look very positive when it comes to this Granit Xhaka deal.

01:11You know, what does this mean for Sunderland?

01:13It's a serious statement of intent.

01:15The club have been aggressive in the transfer market already, signing Diara, Edingra, Talby, Le Fay, bringing in Rinaldo on a free.

01:23Xhaka, at 18 million quid, pushes Sunderland spending this summer to beyond 120 million.

01:29And I think a wider point as well.

01:31This deal also breaks the mould for Sunderland, who rarely invest in players aged 30 or over, really.

01:37The previous preference was free transfers.

01:40Think Corey Evans, Alex Pritchard, Alan Brown.

01:44But this Xhaka move shows that they've taken Premier League survival more seriously.

01:48And let's face it, Granit Xhaka could be worth his weight in gold if he helped Sunderland survive in the Premier League.

01:54Let's talk about Xhaka's experience.

01:56He brings unmatched pedigree to the Stadium of Light in terms of the composition of their squad.

02:01He made 225 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.

02:04He scored 17 goals.

02:06He also helped Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title.

02:09He's played in the Europa League final.

02:10He's won the Cup in Germany as well.

02:14137 caps for Switzerland.

02:16And he's captained his country on multiple occasions.

02:1814 international goals.

02:20He's played the Champions League, Europa League knockout rounds.

02:23And he's finished 16th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting.

02:27That's the calibre of players Sunderland are about to secure.

02:30The 16th best player in the world is coming to Sunderland.

02:34Some clubs might scoff at that.

02:35But when you've been in League One, that's quite significant.

02:38As I say, the deal isn't over the line until the fat lady sings.

02:42We saw that with the Claps-Loriente move.

02:44But all signs are pointing towards getting this done.

02:47One consequence that likely spells the end for Alan Brown and Nectar Triantis

02:52in terms of their midfield hopes.

02:54They both might leave on loan or permanently before the window shuts.

02:59And it does cast a little bit of a doubt over Dan Neal's future as well.

03:04Jackers arrival would leave Sunderland with six midfielders,

03:07including the new signings Dan Neal and Chris Rigg.

03:10I personally think six into three when it comes to a Premier League season does work.

03:15Because you're going to need rest, rotation, injuries, form, all of that sort of stuff.

03:20So I'm very hesitant to write Dan Neal off.

03:22But this does add a layer of competition and experience to the Black Cats midfield

03:26that is going to provide deep, deep competition for these players.

03:31They're going to have to up the game.

03:33I would back Dan Neal to do that.

03:34But I think it's brilliant.

03:36Dan Neal's 23.

03:37Chris Rigg is, what, 18?

03:38And they're going to get to learn from the likes of Granit Xhaka.

03:41Dan Neal, if he signs his contract at Sunderland and stays at the club, of course,

03:44you have to add that caveat.

03:45But I think this just lifts the whole place and the whole atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.

03:50And particularly welcome after that pre-season performance against Hearts

03:53where Sunderland's midfield did get overrun at times.

03:57This comes as a huge boost.

03:59Please hit that like button, subscribe for more Sunderland updates

04:02and let me know in the comments,

04:04is this the signing that keeps Sunderland in the Premier League?

04:07Thanks for watching.

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