Since their promotion to the top flight at the end of May, Sunderland have shown plenty of ambition in the transfer market.
The Black Cats have already moved to bring in Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra, whilst signing Enzo Le Fee permanently.
Although there is the caveat that a number of players will be at AFCON in the winter, it shows they aren’t here to just make up the numbers.
This is Sunderland’s first season in the top flight since 2016-17, and they will be wanting to avoid another similar campaign to that one where they accumulated just 24 points.
Despite some impressive names above, the most high profile player they have been linked to this summer is Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen.
For a while, things had gone quiet on that front, and the Swiss midfielder played in a friendly against Bochum on Sunday.
However, there has today been a breakthrough, with Fabrizio Romano and other journalists confirming that a fee has been agreed between the two clubs.
The fee involved is fluctuating between sources, but it seems as if it will be for around 20 million Euros – just under 17 and a half million pounds, including add ons.
Should everything so smoothly from here, this would be the biggest signing from a newly promoted side since Wolves signed Joao Moutinho in 2018.
The parallels would be quite similar. An experienced, early 30’s midfielder joining a side needing some experience and guile to help them stay clear of the drop.
It’s unlikely that Sunderland finish seventh like Wolves did that season, but signing Xhaka certainly gives them a big chance of surviving.
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, here we go! Deal agreed between all parties involved.
Understand fee will be €20m, contract until 2027.
Green light from Bayer Leverkusen for the player to fly today and complete his move to #SAFC, one more ambitious signing. pic.twitter.com/1gP1IBLD0T
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2025
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