https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx23854dz3ro 23rd July 2025 Head coach Erik ten Hag says Sunderland target Granit Xhaka will not be allowed to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer. The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder's agent told German media on Tuesday he had agreed personal terms with the newly promoted Premier League club and wanted to return to England. However, after selling Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, as well as Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga club do not want to lose any more players. "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag said. "We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. "It's clear - Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go."
Not to call him a liar but they did sign a replacement in Heggem from West Brom. They also paid a fairly big fee for Italian football considering his age so it definitely wasn't a backup or development option. Heggem is left footed and it would be unusual for him to be a replacement for the other cb they sold for all the reasons we have all discussed at length as well.
We’ve had no major journalist updates everything being said is being controlled by Italian newspapers Literally exactly what German newspapers were doing with Xhaka and their DoF / ETH. I’ll wait for a big report rather than the papers helping Bologna negotiate
If the lad has been convinced to come (more than tripling his salary if reports are true would do that never mind owt else!) then it looks likely, add in that it looks like they aren't playing him now and they have despite what they saying signed replacements and it looks even more likely! They just trying to get more money! I wonder if the club are now wishing they just triggered the release clause!
This Lloyd Kelly stuff sounds like we are trying to rush Bologna along. But let's be honest, Bologna dont need dosh after the players they've sold. We dont really have anyone to offer Bologna bar Seelt in terms of a replacement, but they have already signed the West Brom lad, so I dont get it. Their supposed asking price has been all over. Triantis getting a good move though, we are supposedly getting a much better fee than previously mentioned, with a sell on.
Of course he will stay.. If he does they lose out big time come January but we slash the price. of Jhon can pick up a nice signing on bonus next summer,
