At just 27 years old, the Swiss-French businessman is younger than some of the players, yet it’s evident that his ownership is no mere publicity stunt.
Black Cats making significant investments this summer
In less than five years since he took over the club, Sunderland has achieved promotion twice, including a thrilling Championship playoff final against Sheffield United last May.
Losing Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund over the summer was a significant setback for the club. However, manager Regis Le Bris has already managed to secure Habib Diarra from Strasbourg (£30m), Simon Adingra from Brighton (£20.5m), Enzo Le Fee from Roma (£20m), Chesmine Talbi from Club Brugge (£19m), Noah Sadiki from Union Saint-Gilloise (£17.5m) and Reinildo Mandava from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer.
Currently, reports indicate that the club is making a highly ambitious attempt to bring seasoned Bayer Leverkusen star, Granit Xhaka, back to the Premier League.
The 32-year-old Swiss international has 137 caps for his country and extensive EPL experience from his time at Arsenal, not to mention playing a crucial role in helping Leverkusen secure their first and only Bundesliga title in 2023.
He still has three years remaining on his contract with the German club, but it seems there’s an understanding that he could be permitted to leave if the right offer arises.
Xhaka's dependability is unquestionable despite his age
A nostalgic return for Sunderland with former player Jordan Hendersonis no longer an option now that he has signed with Brentford, although Xhaka's aggressive style and leadership traits certainly echo those of Hendo.
It may surprise many to learn that he has won more fouls (93) than he has committed (69) in Germany, although his 10 yellow cards could be improved if he wants to be a valuable asset for a new team.
The Black Cats will need those seasoned players to complement a dynamic young squad whose primary goal in their first season back should be to establish stability. Thus, pursuing Xhaka is a logical move.
During his tenure at Leverkusen, only Edmond Tapsoba (102), Jonathan Tah (109), Piero Hincapie (97), Jeremie Frimpong (110) and Robert Andrich (92) have played more matches than Xhaka's 78, with 75 of those as a starter.
Therefore, unless he were unfortunate enough to suffer an injury, Xhaka's reliability is beyond question.
Outstanding passing statistics
With a passing accuracy that dips to 88.7% at its lowest and peaks at 94.6%, the defensive midfielder seldom misplaces a pass. Having completed 6,957 passes during his two seasons in Germany, he can take pride in such a high level of precision.
He is also not one to shy away from putting in the hard work for the team. His 378.2km covered in the 2024/25 season ranks fifth among all players in the Bundesliga. Additionally, 2,426 intensive runs suggest he leads by example on the field.
Naturally, where Xhaka is concerned, no favors are asked or given, so it’s no surprise that he has won 285 of the one-on-one duels and 76 of the aerial duels he has participated in, along with making 460 ball recoveries.
Of the 94 tackles he has attempted in the last two seasons, he boasts a commendable success rate of 72.4%. As the additional line of defense in front of the back four, he has been nearly unmatched.
While he has never been known for scoring, any opponent that gives him a chance at goal should be wary.
This is because all six of his goals for Leverkusen were scored from outside the box - as were 15 of the 25 he netted for Arsenal - thanks to his remarkable left foot.
Drive and determination are precisely what Sunderland requires
His drive, determination, competitive spirit, and the standards he sets for himself and those around him are exactly what Sunderland needs if they aim to avoid a relegation battle throughout the season.
At a reported €10m, he would represent an incredible signing; however, the wealth of Saudi Arabia may still entice him to spend his remaining years in the Middle East.
It has been reported that Saudi Pro League team NEOM has made an offer for the player, along with a substantial financial package for Xhaka himself.
If his decision regarding his next move is based solely on salary, there is no doubt he will head to Saudi Arabia. However, returning to the Premier League as a key player in a team with a clear vision and ambition could be a more appealing option at this point in his career.
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