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New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says
LONDON: Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga side cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, manager Erik ten Hag said amid reports linking him to a move to Sunderland. Leverkusen have already lost playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League champions Liverpool, while centre back Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich. Former Arsenal man Xhaka has been linked with a move to Sunderland, with his agent telling German media the 32-year-old Switzerland skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League club. "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag told German media on Tuesday. "We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. "It's clear — Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go." Xhaka helped Leverkusen secure the double in the 2023-24 season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He has made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. Former Manchester United manager Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard left to manage his former club Real Madrid.--REUTERS


The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Can say what he wants' – Erik ten Hag single-handedly appears to BLOCK Granit Xhaka transfer to Sunderland
ERIK TEN HAG is threatening to scupper Granit Xhaka's dream Premier League return. And the ex- 4 Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag is threatening to scupper Granit Xhaka's Sunderland move Credit: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images 4 Xhaka wants to return to the Premier League after a successful stint at Arsenal Credit: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images The 32-year-old former The Black Cats have agreed a three-year contract with Xhaka and were hoping to make him their seventh summer signing in a £10million-plus deal. 'Granit wants to return to the Premier League. Read More on Football 'We hope However, newly-appointed Leverkusen boss And despite the pleas of Xhaka, the Dutchman is adamant that the veteran is going nowhere. Speaking last night in Brazil on Leverkusen's pre-season tour, Ten Hag said: 'His agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three important players go, and we won't let any more go. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'Granit is a leader and still has three years left on his contract here. 'It's clear – Granit is a key player, he signed here for five years and still has three years left on his contract. He's too important to us to let him go.' Erik ten Hag's first day as Bayer Leverkusen manager Xhaka, who lifted the FA Cup twice during his seven years at Arsenal, joined Leverkusen in 2023. He was instrumental in their incredible Bundesliga and German Cup successes during his first season there and made a further 49 appearances last term as they finished second to Bayern Munich. Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes doubled down on the player's importance, though he described any potential exit as a 'three-party' matter. Rolfes said: 'I have repeatedly said that Granit is an important leader. The coach and I agree on that. 'We are in dialogue with all our players. In the end, it's always a three-party situation. 'Granit still has a three-year contract — and in principle, there can only be a change if all three sides agree to it. 'Topics like this always cause discussions and conversations. That's why it doesn't shock me.' 4 4

The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Leverkusen won't let any more players go — Ten Hag amid transfer links of Xhaka to Sunderland
Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen, and the Bundesliga side cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, manager Erik ten Hag said amid reports linking him to a move to Sunderland. Leverkusen has already lost playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League champion Liverpool, while centre-back Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich. Former Arsenal man Xhaka has been linked with a move to Sunderland, with his agent telling German media the 32-year-old Switzerland skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League club. ALSO READ: Liverpool agrees deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, according to reports 'The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players,' Ten Hag told German media on Tuesday. 'We won't let any more players go; that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. 'It's clear — Granit is a leader. He has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go.' Xhaka helped Leverkusen secure the double in the 2023-24 season as it lifted its first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He has made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. Former Manchester United manager Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard left to manage his former club Real Madrid.


The Star
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - February 15, 2025 Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka reacts REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/File Photo (Reuters) -Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga side cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, manager Erik ten Hag said amid reports linking him to a move to Sunderland. Leverkusen have already lost playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League champions Liverpool, while centre back Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich. Former Arsenal man Xhaka has been linked with a move to Sunderland, with his agent telling German media the 32-year-old Switzerland skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League club. "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag told German media on Tuesday. "We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. "It's clear — Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go." Xhaka helped Leverkusen secure the double in the 2023-24 season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He has made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. Former Manchester United manager Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard left to manage his former club Real Madrid. (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Goa; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga side cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, manager Erik ten Hag said amid reports linking him to a move to Sunderland. Leverkusen have already lost playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League champions Liverpool, while centre back Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich. Former Arsenal man Xhaka has been linked with a move to Sunderland, with his agent telling German media the 32-year-old Switzerland skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League club. "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag told German media on Tuesday. "We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. "It's clear — Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go." Xhaka helped Leverkusen secure the double in the 2023-24 season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He has made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. Former Manchester United manager Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard left to manage his former club Real Madrid. REUTERS