Leverkusen, July 23, 2025 – Bayer Leverkusen’s summer overhaul continues at pace, but new head coach Erik ten Hag is drawing a line in the sand — starting with Granit Xhaka.
After clinching the 2023/24 Bundesliga title, the club has been rocked by high-profile departures and major restructuring. Xabi Alonso’s exit to join Real Madrid prompted a managerial search that ended with the appointment of former Manchester United boss Ten Hag.
However, the upheaval hasn’t stopped there. Star midfielder Florian Wirtz and flying wing-back Jeremie Frimpong both joined Liverpool, while veteran defender Jonathan Tah brought his decade-long stay to an end by signing for Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
Now, another exit could be on the cards, with 32-year-old Granit Xhaka pushing for a return to the Premier League. The Swiss international, who signed a five-year deal with Leverkusen in 2023 after leaving Arsenal, is understood to have set his sights on a shock move to newly-promoted Sunderland.
Xhaka has been a linchpin in Leverkusen’s midfield, making 99 appearances and scoring six goals since arriving at the BayArena. His leadership and experience were vital to the club’s title-winning campaign, and Ten Hag is determined to keep him at the heart of his plans.
Despite public comments from Xhaka’s agent, José Noguera, confirming the player’s desire to join Sunderland, Ten Hag has reportedly blocked the move. With so many key players already gone, the Dutchman is reluctant to weaken his side any further.
Whether Sunderland returns with an improved offer — or whether Xhaka’s stance forces a rethink — remains to be seen, but for now, Leverkusen’s new boss appears intent on halting the exodus.