Transfer News: Ex-Arsenal captain linked with SHOCK Premier League return

Sunderland have been ambitious in the summer transfer window, keen to beef up their squad after returning to the Premier League. 

The Black Cats, back in the English top flight after eight years away, have already splurged on a surfeit of new arrivals in key areas, aiming to improve Regis Le Bris's team. 

Apart from acquiring Reinildo Mandava after the expiration of the left-back's Atletico Madrid contract, Sunderland have added Habib Diarra, Simon Adindra from Brighton, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki, bringing last season's Championship playoff winners' total spend to around €116m (£100m). 

Although they have also lost Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund and Tom Watson to Brighton, the promoted side’s signings of Diarra, Enzo Le Fee and Sadiki give them numbers in the midfield.

However, Sunderland are reportedly set to make a pair of transfer moves that highlight their ambition to stay in the Premier League. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland are interested in a deal to bring Granit Xhaka to the Stadium of Light. 

The Swiss midfielder, 32, departed Arsenal in the summer of 2023 after seven years in North London. 

The ex-Gunners captain then made the transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, playing a significant role in the German club's historic Bundesliga win in the 2023-24 season. 

However, Die Werkself could not sustain that unprecedented unbeaten season, finishing with 69 points in 2024-25, a distant second to champions Bayern Munich, who had 82.

Xhaka has made 66 Bundesliga appearances for his current club, with his total involvement 99 games in all competitions. 

In addition to Xhaka, Romano’s report suggests that Sunderland are also interested in Napoli’s Frank Zambo Anguissa, a two-time Serie A winner with the Partenopei. 

The promoted side are in action against Sevilla on July 19 in their third of nine pre-season fixtures ahead of the Premier League season. 

Sunderland host West Ham United in gameweek one of the new season on August 16.