00:00Hello Sunderland fans, yesterday I created a video on why fans should be excited about the Granite Shaka links
00:05as it is a symbol really of how seriously the club's ownership is taking the transfer window.
00:12In that video I outlined that a deal is not yet done and there's a long way to go
00:16and there were many of you in the comments who said the same thing
00:19but that begs the question what is the latest on the Granite Shaka deal to Sunderland?
00:23For me, I think there are both reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic.
00:27Shaka wants the move, Sunderland want the move and so does Shaka's agent.
00:31Shaka also seems like the type of forceful personality that would be able to navigate his way out of Bayer Leverkusen
00:38should he wish to do so.
00:40You would hope, in that sense, that where there's a will there's a way
00:44and that Bayer would not want to keep an unhappy player on their books ahead of the upcoming season.
00:50However, on the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen have made it very clear that they don't want to sell.
00:54The comments of their head coach, Eric Ten Hag, and Leverkusen's sporting director
00:59have thrown water on the flames somewhat.
01:02Shaka has three years left on his current deal and is an important player
01:05and I think there's also a PR standpoint to look at as well as a sporting perspective.
01:10Bayer Leverkusen don't want to lose another key player.
01:13They've already seen several high-profile departures this summer
01:16and it would be a very bad look and a bad look for Ten Hag's squad
01:21to lose their captain, leader and talisman.
01:24Sunderland have reportedly had a bid of around 10 million euros rejected
01:29with Bayer Leverkusen holding out for around 20 million euros.
01:33Will Sunderland go that high for a player who will be 33 in September?
01:38I suspect they will offer some more money
01:40but will they meet Bayer Leverkusen's lofty valuation?
01:44As always, transfers do come down to money.
01:48And if you cast your minds back to last summer as well,
01:51this perhaps has echoes of the Alexandra-Mendy deal.
01:55The striker was desperate to leave
01:57and his agent made massive amounts of noise about doing so,
02:01specifically naming Sunderland alongside the player,
02:04specifically naming Sunderland.
02:06But his club blocked the move
02:07and it did rumble on for a good while
02:10before Sunderland settled on other targets
02:13and he ended up staying at his French club,
02:16Cannes, for the remainder of the season.
02:19And he's only just moved this summer.
02:22So if Sunderland do want to add someone with profile
02:25and experience like Xhaka,
02:28time is probably ticking for them to make a deal
02:30before the need to move elsewhere.
02:33But I think this is still definitely want to watch.
02:36There's still interest from Sunderland.
02:38Obviously, Xhaka wants the move.
02:39His agent wants the move.
02:41It does come down to now
02:42whether Sunderland can cut a deal with Bayer Leverkusen,
02:46who obviously have their own optics to consider as well.
02:51But I think it's definitely want to watch.
02:53Catch you on the next one.
02:54Now
03:02you
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