Latest news with #GranitXhaka
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter enter race to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka's Bayer Leverkusen future has been well documented, and a new club are interested in signing the Bundesliga and German Cup winner. Bild cite Gazzetta dello Sport of Inter's interest in signing the 32-year-old, whose future could lay away from the BayArena. Saudi club Neom SC did reach a verbal agreement with Xhaka, but the Swiss midfielder appears hesitant on a move to the Middle East because of family reasons. Sunderland, another interested club, are also unwilling to increase their offer, which Inter have been made aware of via an intermediary. As such, the Italian side have entered the race to sign Xhaka. Christian Chivu, who replaced Simone Inzaghi at Inter, sees Xhaka as the ideal replacement for Nicolo Barella with Hakan Çalhanoğlu reportedly set for a €25m transfer to Fenerbahce. Milan also showed an interest in signing Xhaka, but a move never materialised. Speaking in an interview with Bild during Bayer Leverkusen's pre-season tour of Brazil, Erik ten Hag said: 'If it's up to me, Granit should stay.' GGFN | Daniel Pinder
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gyokeres ‘flying in for medical on THURSDAY', Eze latest updates, the ‘next Saliba'
Granit Xhaka blow Erik ten Hag is threatening to scupper Granit Xhaka's dream Premier League return. The ex-Manchester United boss claims the Swiss star is 'too important' for Bayer Leverkusen to let him leave. The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder's agent confirmed that the star has his heart set on a switch to Sunderland. 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. However, newly-appointed Leverkusen boss Ten Hag has already lost Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah from his squad this summer. And despite the pleas of Xhaka, the Dutchman is adamant that the veteran is going nowhere. 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. 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
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says
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.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Erik ten Hag sends clear message over Granit Xhaka transfer
Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag has stated that midfielder Granit Xhaka will not be joining Sunderland this summer. Ten Hag explained that Leverkusen has already sold three important players and cannot afford to lose Xhaka, who is a leader and crucial to the team. Xhaka, 32, signed a five-year deal with Leverkusen and has three years remaining on his contract, having helped them win the Bundesliga last season. Sunderland, recently promoted to the top flight, has spent over £100m this summer and is keen to add experienced players like Xhaka to their squad. Despite Ten Hag's resistance, Sunderland is expected to continue pursuing a deal for the Switzerland international.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag hits back at Granit Xhaka's agent over Sunderland transfer claims
Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag has insisted that midfielder Granit Xhaka will not be able to join Sunderland this summer, with the Switzerland midfielder heavily linked with a move to the Premier League. The Black Cats had appeared to be closing in on a deal for the former Arsenal captain as they continue a spending spree that has exceeded £100m this summer, with the club keen to add top-flight experience to their squad as they look to beat the drop next season. But former Manchester United boss Ten Hag, who has already seen Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah depart since succeeding Xabi Alonso at the end of last season, is resisting the proposed move. The Dutchman told reporters: "The agent can say anything, but this club has sold three important players - and we won't sell any more players. That's not possible. "Granit is a leader. He signed for five years here and has three more years left. He's too important for us to let go." Leverkusen stand to earn up to £145m from the sales of Wirtz and Frimpong to Liverpool, though Jonathan Tah left on a free to join direct rivals Bayern Munich. The German club recently signed Jarell Quansah from Liverpool for £35m as a replacement for Tah, while Malik Tillman arrives from PSV Eindhoven for a similar fee to replace Wirtz. Xhaka, 32, won the FA Cup twice during a seven-year spell at Arsenal and has previously played for Basel and Borussia Monchengladbach. He left Arsenal for Leverkusen in 2023 and helped the German club to Bundesliga success in his first season. He made 49 appearances in all competitions - 10 of them in the Champions League - during the last campaign, but is said to be keen on a move to Sunderland, who were promoted to the top flight via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats are expected to continue to pursue a move for Xhaka, with more signings expected after the recent collapse of a move for Sassuolo striker Armand Lauriente.
