Report: Former Arsenal captain agrees deal to return to Premier League

A former Arsenal captain is on the verge of a sensational return to the Premier League, with a long-term deal reportedly agreed in principle with an ambitious English side aiming to rise through the top-flight ranks.

The midfielder, known for his leadership, fiery temperament, and ability to dictate the tempo of games, could soon be back on English soil—this time in a very different shirt. After a tumultuous time at The Emirates, he ended on good terms.

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Granit Xhaka has reached a full verbal agreement with Sunderland on a contract running until 2028, with an option for an additional year. The deal would mark a major statement from the Black Cats, who are looking to bolster their squad with proven top-level experience.

Talks between Sunderland and Xhaka’s current club, Bayer Leverkusen, are underway. However, there remains a significant gap in valuations. Leverkusen have reportedly rejected Sunderland’s initial offer and are demanding a fee of up to €20 million for the Switzerland international who turns 33 in September.

Xhaka played a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning campaign in 2023/24 under Xabi Alonso, reinventing himself as a consistent and composed deep-lying midfielder. His resurgence in Germany followed an up-and-down spell at Arsenal, where he eventually won over large sections of the fanbase with his performances and leadership during Mikel Arteta’s rebuild.

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Sunderland’s pursuit of Xhaka is a bold one, signalling the club’s intent to accelerate their rise and add serious pedigree to their midfield. While negotiations continue over the transfer fee, the groundwork appears to be in place for one of the most surprising moves of the summer.

For more updates on Arsenal transfers, check out our dedicated section.