Sunderland have yet to win a game on their pre-season tour of the Algarve, but there have been plenty of encouraging signs.
Indeed, the Black Cats have faced formidable opponents in Portugal in the form of Sevilla and Sporting, so a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 loss aren’t disastrous outcomes, especially given that a large portion of Regis Le Bris’ first-team personnel are still getting used to one another as brand new recruits.
Sunderland fans were particularly impressed by Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, who are expected to be joined by another impressive physique in the center if developing reports are right.
Sunderland agree terms with £17m battler
Of course, Sunderland fans will take any advancing deal with a grain of salt until it is officially completed, having recently been disappointed by Armand Lauriente’s deal falling through at the last minute.
Lauriente was even seen flying to the Stadium of Light to complete a move, but the transaction ultimately fell through.
Hopefully, any last-minute hiccups are behind Sunderland, as The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed via X that the club has now accepted personal terms with long-term target Granit Xhaka.
According to Ornstein’s exclusive report, Xhaka is only considering the newly promoted club as his next destination, with the hope that the deal can be completed quickly enough for him to return to the Premier League.
In a window where Sunderland has already made a few statement signings, this may be the best of the bunch, with the deal for the Swiss international – who is estimated to be worth €20 million (£17 million) – far more exciting to clinch than Lauriente’s ever was.
Why signing Xhaka would be more exciting than Lauriente
Lauriente would have made his presence known wearing Sunderland red and white after an explosive season in Serie B.
After all, the silky Frenchman wasn’t labeled “amazing” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig by chance, with a magnificent total of 18 goals for Sassuolo previous season, securing a glorious promotion to the Italian top flight.
Xhaka also has a sumptuous rocket up his sleeve, but the experienced 32-year-old would add to his impressive tally of two goals and seven assists in the far choppier and more intense terrain of the Bundesliga last season, with the Bayer Leverkusen number 34 taking his game to the next level in Germany.
From 174 games in the top division, 66 of which were for Leverkusen, the midfield enforcer would collect 11 goals and ten assists, 12 of which were recorded at the BayArena, as his side was crowned Bundesliga champions during his two-campaign stint, despite the fact that Bayern Munich dominated the league.
| Xhaka’s Premier League career numbers | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Xhaka |
| Games played | 225 |
| Goals | 17 |
| Assists | 25 |
| Completed passes | 14,865 (88%) |
| Tackles | 368 |
| Duels won | 1001 |
| Stats by the Premier League | |
On the contrary, Lauriente has only 133 games under his belt in Serie A and Ligue 1, and Xhaka’s knowledge of the taxing Premier League makes him a far more worthwhile signing to pursue, rather than stewing in any lingering disappointment over the Frenchman’s deal falling through.
While Xhaka had many ups and downs at Arsenal, he is now regarded as a component that kept the Gunners going throughout difficult times, as evidenced by his amazing 17 goals and 25 assists from 225 top-flight games.
Furthermore, he fought valiantly for the Gunners’ cause on numerous occasions, winning a total of 1001 duels and earning the nickname “monster” from Arsenal-based writer Connor Humm.
With the grit required for a relegation battle, as well as the quality to try and push Sunderland out of that mire, this would be a standout addition to make for a £17 million star who has also been praised as a “technician” by Chelsea great Joe Cole.
Lauriente may have evolved into a spectacular forward under Le Bris’ tutelage, but if the ex-Lorient manager is looking for ready-made Premier League players, he should make sure this transfer is completed.
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