Sunderland “close” to completing a deal to sign £17m star

Out of the promoted three that soared out of the Championship last season, Sunderland could well be the side that’s most well-equipped to secure immediate safety in the Premier League if their whirlwind summer activity is anything to go by.

Of course, Leeds United have flexed their muscles as well with the recent £12m pick up of Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United sticking out, but that’s nothing compared to the millions continuing to be splashed by Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats.

Minus Reinildo joining on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid, Sunderland has amazingly forked out £12m+ on every other signing so far this summer, with that spending unlikely to slow down.

Sunderland closing in on another new signing

Nobody can knock Sunderland’s ambition since promotion was achieved gloriously, knowing time is of the essence if they want to recruit well and attempt to stay afloat in the Premier League.

Yet, the Black Cats haven’t quite added in proven Premier League quality to their ranks, like Leeds have managed with Longstaff, but that could soon change emphatically.

Indeed, the latest development from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg via X reveals that a verbal agreement has now been reached between the Wearside outfit and Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of ex-Arsenal warrior Granit Xhaka.

If the deal goes through it would see Xhaka join the Stadium of Light ranks until 2028, and talks are now ongoing to finalise a move. One sticking point could be the midfielder’s £17m price tag.

A further report from Keith Downie, however, says that Sunderland are actually “close to completing a deal.”

How Xhaka can be Le Bris’ next Le Fee

Xhaka is definitely worth pursuing for that amount, with the potential here for the 32-year-old to be Le Bris’ next statement buy, much like when Le Fee joined the building last summer.

Le Fee immediately showed off his class last season as Sunderland gunned for promotion back to the Premier League.

Not fazed by his new daunting environment whatsoever – having already been a classy performer in others top divisions such as Ligue 1 – Le Fee managed to pick up one goal and three assists for his troubles from 18 outings, with the ex-Lorient midfielder picking up two of those assists in crucial moments during the Black Cats’ tense, but ultimately, successful playoff journey.

Xhaka also proved himself to be the man for the big occasion when plying his trade for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, as seen in the Basel-born battler collecting two mighty FA Cup triumphs when still situated in North London, on top of his many Premier League appearances for Arsenal as a regular member of the first team.

In total, 225 of Xhaka’s 297 appearances for Arsenal came in the demanding terrain of the top-flight, with his combative style helping the Gunners get through some testing times, which should also stand him in good stead on Wearside if a relegation dog-fight is on the menu.

Staggeringly, across that extensive back catalogue of Premier League clashes, Xhaka would throw himself into 1001 duels, with 368 tackles also attempted, leading to Arsenal-based writer Connor Humm labelling him as a “monster.”

Fortunately, that same bite has followed him to the Bundesliga, too, with his standout numbers across his last two seasons in the German top division showing off a star that’s still at the peak of his powers.

He also has a moment of magic just waiting in his locker like Le Fee, with a combined goal and assist haul of 67 from 396 games for Arsenal and Leverkusen, further making him a statement signing worth getting over the line.

Football journalist Henry Winter has even hailed the potential signing as “inspired”, with Xhaka just one part of the ongoing jigsaw that might allow for Sunderland to thrive up a level.

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