Bayer Leverkusen’s Sporting Managing Director, Simon Rolfes, has outlined the club’s desire to retain the services of reported Sunderland transfer target Granit Xhaka this summer.
The Black Cats have been heavily linked with an ambitious swoop for the 32-year-old in recent days, and according to German outlet Bild, have even gone as far as to submit an official bid for his signature.
While the publication stop short of detailing exactly how much Sunderland offered for the player, it is understood that the fee was some way beneath the £17.3 million that Leverkusen are demanding for the Swiss international.
What has Simon Rolfes said about Granit Xhaka’s transfer future amid ongoing Sunderland links?
It is within this context that Rolfes has provided an update on Xhaka’s future, and has suggested that his side are in no rush to part company with the former Arsenal talent.
As quoted by Bild, he said: “Granit is a very important player for us – for the team and for the club. Our main interest is to keep him. Sure, there is interest in him, we need to talk to the player to find out what his ambitions are. But one thing is clear: a transfer would only happen if it was a win-win situation.”
He added: “We still have three years left on the player’s contract and are very happy with him. We have big goals for the next few years. Therefore, a transfer can only take place if it’s good for all parties. We’ll have to wait and see. But our goal is for Granit to stay with us.”
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