Sunderland are close to agreeing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen and former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is keen to join the club.
The two clubs are in advanced talks over a deal for the former Arsenal captain.
Xhaka has agreed personal terms with Sunderland on a three-year contract and his agent Jose Noguera has told Sky in Germany that his client wants to join the newly promoted Premier League club.
“We’ve reached an agreement in principle with Sunderland,” said Xhaka’s agent. “Granit wants to return to the Premier League. Sunderland excites him – he wants to take on this challenge.
“We hope Leverkusen will respect his wish to leave and that the clubs will find an agreement soon.”
However, speaking in Brazil on Tuesday during Bayer Leverkusen’s pre-season tour, head coach Erik ten Hag said that the club won’t sell any more players.
Ten Hag said: “The agent can say anything, but this club has already sold three important players. We won’t let go of any more players; that’s not possible. That would neglect the structure and culture of the squad.
Also Read: Arteta Claims Arsenal Are ‘Short Of Numbers’ Amid £123M Spent
“Clearly, Granit is a leader. He signed for five years and has three years left on his contract. He’s too important for us to let go.”
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s sporting managing director, added: “I’ve always said that Granit is an important leader. The coach and I have a very similar perspective.”
Sunderland have already spent £107m so far this summer on six new signings.
