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Erik ten Hag Insists Granit Xhaka Is Untouchable Amid Sunderland Transfer Rumours

Posted : 23 July 2025

Granit Xhaka remains a crucial part of Bayer Leverkusen's setup and will not be allowed to leave the club, manager Erik ten Hag has said, in response to speculation linking the Swiss midfielder with a transfer to newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland.

 

Following the departure of key players Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, and Jonathan Tah's move to Bayern Munich, Leverkusen are unwilling to part ways with any more senior figures. Speaking to German media on Tuesday, Ten Hag firmly dismissed the idea of Xhaka leaving. “The agent can say anything he wants,” he said. “This club has already lost three major players. We cannot afford to lose more — it would disrupt the structure and spirit of the team.”

 

Xhaka, 32, joined Leverkusen from Arsenal and played a pivotal role in the club’s historic 2023–24 campaign, which saw them win the Bundesliga without suffering a defeat, secure the German Cup, and reach the UEFA Europa League final. The Switzerland captain, who still has three years left on his contract, has made 99 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and assisting nine.

 

Despite claims from Xhaka’s agent that a verbal agreement exists with Sunderland, Ten Hag made his position clear. “Granit is a leader. He signed a five-year deal and he’s too important to let go,” the Dutch coach stated. Ten Hag, who took over from Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard's move to Real Madrid, is focused on preserving the core of a squad that delivered one of the greatest seasons in Leverkusen's history.

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