00:00Hello everybody, welcome back to a special breaking news edition of the Red and White Round.
00:06We've got some huge news coming out of Wayside today.
00:09Sunderland are closing in on a deal to sign that man Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen.
00:16According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, a deal worth around £18m has now been agreed between Sunderland and Bayern Munich.
00:24Xhaka is expected to fly into the UK for a medical and to finalise his personal terms on a two-year contract running until 2027.
00:35The Swiss International made it clear last week that he was more than ready to make the move to the Premier League.
00:40And after days of negotiations, Sunderland have upped their offer, which Bayer Leverkusen have now accepted.
00:46Romano posted on social media, Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, here we go.
00:51So now we're waiting on the final stages to be completed.
00:54But this looks all but done.
00:57However, Sunderland fans might have a little bit of PTSD from the Armand Lorient a transfer.
01:03So of course, until you see that scarf picture, it isn't done.
01:06But all signs look very positive when it comes to this Granit Xhaka deal.
01:11You know, what does this mean for Sunderland?
01:13It's a serious statement of intent.
01:15The club have been aggressive in the transfer market already, signing Diara, Edingra, Talby, Le Fay, bringing in Rinaldo on a free.
01:23Xhaka, at 18 million quid, pushes Sunderland spending this summer to beyond 120 million.
01:29And I think a wider point as well.
01:31This deal also breaks the mould for Sunderland, who rarely invest in players aged 30 or over, really.
01:37The previous preference was free transfers.
01:40Think Corey Evans, Alex Pritchard, Alan Brown.
01:44But this Xhaka move shows that they've taken Premier League survival more seriously.
01:48And let's face it, Granit Xhaka could be worth his weight in gold if he helped Sunderland survive in the Premier League.
01:54Let's talk about Xhaka's experience.
01:56He brings unmatched pedigree to the Stadium of Light in terms of the composition of their squad.
02:01He made 225 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
02:04He scored 17 goals.
02:06He also helped Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title.
02:09He's played in the Europa League final.
02:10He's won the Cup in Germany as well.
02:14137 caps for Switzerland.
02:16And he's captained his country on multiple occasions.
02:1814 international goals.
02:20He's played the Champions League, Europa League knockout rounds.
02:23And he's finished 16th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting.
02:27That's the calibre of players Sunderland are about to secure.
02:30The 16th best player in the world is coming to Sunderland.
02:34Some clubs might scoff at that.
02:35But when you've been in League One, that's quite significant.
02:38As I say, the deal isn't over the line until the fat lady sings.
02:42We saw that with the Claps-Loriente move.
02:44But all signs are pointing towards getting this done.
02:47One consequence that likely spells the end for Alan Brown and Nectar Triantis
02:52in terms of their midfield hopes.
02:54They both might leave on loan or permanently before the window shuts.
02:59And it does cast a little bit of a doubt over Dan Neal's future as well.
03:04Jackers arrival would leave Sunderland with six midfielders,
03:07including the new signings Dan Neal and Chris Rigg.
03:10I personally think six into three when it comes to a Premier League season does work.
03:15Because you're going to need rest, rotation, injuries, form, all of that sort of stuff.
03:20So I'm very hesitant to write Dan Neal off.
03:22But this does add a layer of competition and experience to the Black Cats midfield
03:26that is going to provide deep, deep competition for these players.
03:31They're going to have to up the game.
03:33I would back Dan Neal to do that.
03:34But I think it's brilliant.
03:36Dan Neal's 23.
03:37Chris Rigg is, what, 18?
03:38And they're going to get to learn from the likes of Granit Xhaka.
03:41Dan Neal, if he signs his contract at Sunderland and stays at the club, of course,
03:44you have to add that caveat.
03:45But I think this just lifts the whole place and the whole atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.
03:50And particularly welcome after that pre-season performance against Hearts
03:53where Sunderland's midfield did get overrun at times.
03:57This comes as a huge boost.
03:59Please hit that like button, subscribe for more Sunderland updates
04:02and let me know in the comments,
04:04is this the signing that keeps Sunderland in the Premier League?
04:07Thanks for watching.
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