Sunderland pursuing “incredible” Isak-esque gem

Sunderland are trying everything in their power to win the services of Granit Xhaka as their statement seventh signing of the hectic transfer window.

It has been reported that Sunderland is close to clinching the deal, as per Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, but there will surely still be some difficulty ahead in sealing the move officially, with Erik ten Hag no doubt irked at the prospect of losing his star asset barely a month after taking on the Bayer Leverkusen position.

Xhaka is unlikely to be Sunderland’s last venture into the market, even if the deal requires some significant effort to get over the line, with another midfielder reportedly being pursued by the Black Cats now to link up with the Swiss international.

Sunderland pursuing move for “incredible” star

Regis Le Bris’ side is already well stocked in the midfield areas, arguably, with the likes of Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki at the ex-Lorient boss’ disposal.

Yet, that doesn’t seem to be deterring Sunderland from splashing their toes into the market once more to land some midfield gems, with wantaway Leicester City youngster Bilal El Khannouss reportedly on their radar as a number ten option.

Reports from further afield in Italy also seem to suggest that Sunderland have Nicolo Zaniolo on their mind as another summer purchase, as Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb now speculates that the Black Cats are pursuing a move for the versatile Galatasaray talent.

Zaniolo has struggled out in Turkey as of late, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole host of onlookers still intrigued by the prospect of landing the former Aston Villa loanee, with Villarreal named as one potential suitor from Spain, alongside interest coming from Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven.

Le Bris and Co may well feel they can unearth a diamond from the rough here, considering the Italian was once hailed as “incredible” when learning the ropes at AS Roma by Stadio Olimpico great Daniele De Rossi.

He could soon get back to his former Serie A best under the Frenchman’s wing, with Zaniolo also benefiting from a relationship with Xhaka in the middle of the park to try and return to the peak of his powers.

Why Zaniolo could be amazing with Xhaka

After all, at just 26 years of age, it isn’t out of the question for Zaniolo to still return to the version of himself that played with swagger and confidence in the Italian capital.

Playing all across the forward positions as a right and left winger, alongside slotting in as a number ten effortlessly, the 19-time Italy international would pick up a fantastic 24 goals and 18 assists across 128 clashes in Rome, with another club great in Francisco Totti even going as far as to label Zaniolo as a “prototype attacking midfielder” when he was strutting his stuff at the revered club.

However, it would be foolish to anticipate that Zaniolo could get back to this iteration of himself overnight in the Premier League, but he will be helped in doing so if Xhaka lines up alongside him in midfield.

Whilst the 26-year-old has come into a side as a traditional central option 13 times across his well-travelled career to date, it’s clear he excels further up the pitch in an attack-focused spot, with a blistering five strikes previously coming his way for Galatasaray from just 12 games when utilised as a number ten or as a winger.

He would, unfortunately, collect zero goal contributions all of last season for Fiorentina, but he will be given the freedom to be an attacking spark on Wearside if Xhaka soon lines up next to him, with the durable 32-year-old very content at being a battling presence.

Xhaka would amazingly go in for 1001 duels in total from 225 Premier League clashes for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta even labelling his midfielder as a “big presence” during his lengthy stay in North London off the back of this tireless approach.

Xhaka’s impressive tally of 23 goals and 29 assists for Arsenal might also rub off on Zaniolo positively as the adaptable Italian attempts to add to the three-goal haul he already has in the English top-flight with Unai Emery’s Villans.

He is even deemed to be a statistically similar player, among his European peers, to wantaway Newcastle United menace Alexander Isak, as per FBref, which should stand him in good stead for a Premier League return.

That likeness notably stems from their ball-carrying ability, with Zaniolo ranking in the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, while Isak ranks in the top 7% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Although his time in the West Midlands was brief, Emery would still praise the 26-year-old’s energy at Villa Park, with a hope now on the ex-Roma midfielder’s end that a successful new chapter of his nomadic career lies ahead with Sunderland.

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