Granit Xhaka closes in on surprise Premier League return as ‘£17m fee is agreed’ for former Arsenal star

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is reportedly closing in on a return to the Premier League.

Xhaka spent seven years in north London between 2016 and 2023 and made nearly 300 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.

The 32-year-old has spent the last two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen, and was part of Xabi Alonso‘s side that secured the club’s first ever Bundesliga title while embarkign on an unprecedented 51-game unbeaten run.

However, according to a report from Sky Sports, Xhaka’s time in Germany looks set to come to an end after Leverkusen accepted a £17million offer from Sunderland for the midfielder.

The deal is said to be comprised of a £13m upfront fee with up to £4m in add-ons.

Xhaka has been given permission to travel to the UK to undergo a medical. 

Xhaka was part of Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga-winning side with Leverkusen in the 2023-24 season

The 32-year-old also spent seven years with Arsenal, making nearly 300 appearances for the Gunners 

The news comes after he agreed personal terms for a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light last week.

The arrival of the Switzerland international will bring much-needed Premier League experience to Regis Le Bris’ midfield.

The club had been linked with a move to bring academy graduate Jordan Henderson back to the North East ahead of their return to the top flight.

However, Henderson ultimately joined Brentford to replace the departing Christian Norgaard after his contract at Ajax was cancelled by mutual consent.

Sunderland’s pursuit of Xhaka is the latest example of the club’s ambition having already splashed out on the likes of Simon Adingra (£21m), Habib Diarra (£30m) and Enzo Le Fee (£20m).