Since promotion to the Premier League, Sunderland have shown serious ambition with their recruitment – bringing in Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Renildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, and Simon Adringa, as well as the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fee.
However, they look like they could be making an even bigger signing than any of those names. Per various high level journalists, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has agreed personal terms with the club, and a deal is advancing.
This would be the highest profile signing any recently promoted club will make. It would be the biggest signing of any promoted side since Wolves signed Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez in 2018.
For the 23/24 season, Xhaka finished 16th on the Ballon D’or shortlist, having played a key part in Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga season and DFB Pokal triumph, as well as helping Switzerland to the Euros quarter-finals.
Whilst if being picky, you could say the Swiss midfielder would be more suited to a team that are going to control games and dominate possession, his presence alone will help Sunderland to be able to have more of the ball, particularly against sides in the bottom half of the league.
You would be naive to compare this signing to someone like Jordan Henderson. As well as being two years younger, Xhaka is clearly someone still at the top of their game, and offers far, far more in possession than the Englishman.
Before this potential signing, Simon Adingra was the only player in the Sunderland squad to have played regular Premier League football. Although Le Fee and Reinildo have experience playing for some huge clubs in Europe, overall this was a squad that desperately needed some experience.
Yet, Xhaka is not just a player who provides experience in the dressing room, as someone to hand out the bibs. He brings a wealth of experience and is someone with plenty to offer as a player too. An absolutely brilliant signing.
It feels clear for everyone to see, Sunderland are having a real go at bucking the trend of newly promoted teams going straight back down. They do not want to be another Sheffield United. Fans of struggling teams will be beginning to get nervous.
