Leverkusen in turmoil over Granit Xhaka as Sunderland keen on signing former Arsenal star

Bayer Leverkusen's new manager appears to have personally blocked Granit Xhaka's proposed move to Sunderland.

Xhaka had already agreed to personal terms with the newly promoted Premier League side, who offered €10 million for the midfielder.

Leverkusen, however, are reportedly demanding at least double that figure for the 32-year-old and consider the offer far too low.

Xhaka's agent, Jose Noguera Rodriguez, had earlier stated that Leverkusen had given the green light for talks, as reported by Sportal.

"It would undermine the structure and culture of the team. He's a leader. He has three years left on his contract, and he's simply too important for us."

Xhaka joined Leverkusen from Arsenal in 2023 and was a key figure in Xabi Alonso's title-winning side. This summer, much to the new manager's frustration, the club has already lost Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, and Florian Wirtz.