Ex-Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag fiercely intervenes to block Premier League transfer

Erik ten Hag has insisted Granit Xhaka will not leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer, despite newly promoted Sunderland offering him an opportunity to return to the Premier League. Xhaka spent seven seasons at Arsenal before joining Leverkusen in 2023.

The 32-year-old was a key player under Xabi Alonso, helping Leverkusen win their first ever Bundesliga title last year, but Ten Hag is now in charge after Alonso left to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

However, Xhaka has been linked with a move away this summer and his agent, Jose Noguerra Rodriguez, had stated that personal terms have been agreed with Sunderland. "We've reached an agreement in principle with Sunderland," he told Sky Sports Germany.

"Granit wants to return to the Premier League. Sunderland excites him - he wants to take on this challenge. We hope Leverkusen will respect his wish to leave and that the clubs will find an agreement soon."

Ten Hag, though, does not want the player to leave and hit back when asked about Rodriguez's comments. "His agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three important players (Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah) go, and we won't let any more go," the former Manchester United boss said.

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"Granit is a leader, he still has three years left on his contract here. It's clear – Granit is a key player, he signed here for five years and still has three years left on his contract. He's too important to us to let him go."

Leverkusen's managing director Simon Rolfes added: "I have repeatedly said that Granit is an important leader. The coach and I agree on that. We are in dialogue with all our players. In the end, it's always a three-party situation.

"Granit still has a three-year contract — and in principle, there can only be a change if all three sides agree to it. Topics like this always cause discussions and conversations. That's why it doesn't shock me."

Sunderland have already spent more than £100million this summer, having earned promotion back to the Premier League by beating Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Enzo Le Fee has joined permanently from Roma, having spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, while Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra have also signed.

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