Newly promoted Sunderland are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the possible signing of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, according to several reports on 16 July. The North-East club has opened discussions through owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and is understood to be prepared to pay about €10 million (£8.6 million) and offer the 32-year-old a three-year contract. Xhaka joined Leverkusen from Arsenal in 2023 and has three seasons left on his current deal after helping the German side win the Bundesliga in 2024. A return to England would give Sunderland proven Premier League experience as they seek to consolidate their top-flight status after winning the Championship play-offs in May.