Overview

• Xhaka has agreed a three-year contract with Sunderland after settling personal terms with the newly promoted club.
• Both clubs reached an agreement in principle but Bayer Leverkusen rejected Sunderland’s offer, insisting on a fee of about £15 million.
• Erik ten Hag declared Xhaka indispensable and refused to sanction any sale while the midfielder has three years remaining on his contract.
• The former Arsenal captain prioritises returning to the Premier League over lucrative proposals from Saudi Arabia’s Neom SC and Turkey’s Fenerbahçe.
• Sunderland have invested over £100 million on six new signings as Régis Le Bris strengthens the squad for top-flight survival.