Ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka eyed for shock Premier League transfer return

Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has been offered the chance to continue his career in the Premier League by Sunderland amid transfer interest in the midfielder from Saudi Arabia.

Xhaka, 32, was a popular figure at The Emirates before leaving Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023. And after winning the German title with the Bundesliga outfit 12 months ago, it now seems as though Xhaka is open to another transfer.

Interest in the Switzerland international from Neom SC has been well documented in recent days.

But Sunderland are now in the picture and are said to have offered Xhaka a three-year contract to boost their bid to stay in the top-flight, per Sky Sports Belgium.

The Black Cats, who won the Championship play-offs back in May, have also entered club-to-club talks with Leverkusen via their owner, Kyril Louis Dreyfus, over a deal which would cost them a cool €10million (£8.6m).

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It remains to be seen whether or not Xhaka would prefer a return to England rather than becoming the latest high-profile star to head overseas to Saudi Arabia.

He still has three years left to run on the five-year deal he penned back in the summer of 2023 after agreeing to swap Arsenal for Leverkusen following a rollercoaster seven-year spell in north London. In total, the midfielder made 297 appearances for the Gunners, winning two FA Cups.

Landing Xhaka would be regarded as a major coup for Sunderland, who are in the market for quality additions ahead of ending an eight-year odyssey from the Premier League.

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The Black Cats have already splashed some serious cash this summer to bring in Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, plus a further £20m to bring Enzo Le Fee in on a permanent basis.

They were also heavily linked with a move for their former academy graduate, Jordan Henderson, who has since completed a free transfer to Brentford.

Xhaka would add significant Premier League pedigree to a team who will be looking to consolidate under Regis Le Bris. The club are expected to pursue more signings before the start of the new season, too, as they press ahead with their ambitious summer transfer plans.

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