Granit Xhaka set for shock Premier League return as he tells Bayer Leverkusen he wants transfer

Granit Xhaka is set to return to the Premier League after telling Bayer Leverkusen that he wants to join Sunderland.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been in talks with the Black Cats over a shock £8.7million move to the newly-promoted side.

The Athletic now report that Xhaka only wants to join Regis Le Bris’ team, with an agreement now in place between the player and club.

Leverkusen have been asked by the Swiss international to close the deal as soon as possible, with negotiations ongoing.

The 32-year-old has been offered a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

Xhaka still has three years left on his deal in the Bundesliga, but he looks set to become Leverkusen’s latest departure.

New boss Erik ten Hag has already seen Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong leave for Liverpool this summer.

The combative midfielder is set to follow them to the Premier League, returning to England two years after he departed Arsenal.

He made 225 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, scoring 17 goals and adding 24 assists.

Xhaka also has 137 caps for Switzerland on the international stage.

Sunderland are looking to pull off a real coup as they continue to spend money following promotion to the top-flight. 

Le Bris has already spent £100m on six signings this summer, making use of the fee received in Jobe Bellingham’s departure.

Simon Adringra has arrived from Brighton, along with Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Taibi, Noah Sadiki and Reinildo. 

Enzo Le Fee’s loan deal has also turned permanent too.

Meanwhile, they have also just pulled out of a deal to sign Armand Lauriente for £17.5m after a disagreement over personal terms.

This will be the Black Cats’ first season back in the Premier League after eight years away. 

And they are making sure they have the best chance of staying up by bringing in multiple big-money additions. 

Xhaka will also provide some much-needed top-flight experience to the squad, helping both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Should his move to Sunderland be completed as quickly as he wants it to, Xhaka could be thrown straight into action.

They face Hearts on Saturday afternoon in a friendly before taking on Hull City the following Tuesday.

However, it’s most likely that, if the deal goes through, he could make his first appearance in August.

The Black Cats take on Real Betis, Augsburg and Rayo Vallecano all within eight days leading up to the season.

West Ham take the trip up to the Stadium of Light on the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign.

Xhaka would reunite with Arsenal in November.