Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag has emphatically ruled out any possibility of letting Granit Xhaka leave the club this summer, underscoring the Swiss midfielder’s essential role in stabilizing a squad undergoing rapid change after the departures of several key players.
Ten Hag was responding to persistent rumors linking Xhaka, the Switzerland captain, with a move to newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland, where his agent has reportedly agreed personal terms on a three-year contract worth approximately £8.7 million. Despite this, Ten Hag made clear that the club—with multiple veterans already gone—would not countenance another exit:
“We won’t let any more players go… It would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. It’s clear – Granit is a leader… He’s too important for us to let him go.”
Xhaka, 32, who signed a five-year deal in mid-2023 that still runs until 2028, enjoyed a standout debut season at Leverkusen: he helped deliver an unbeaten Bundesliga title, a German Cup, and a run to the Europa League final. Having made nearly 100 appearances for the club with six goals and nine assists to his name, Ten Hag sees him as a cornerstone of both performance and professionalism in the dressing room.
Recent departures, such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool and Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich, have intensified the upheaval within Leverkusen’s squad structure. Against this backdrop, Ten Hag is adamant about retaining Xhaka to preserve leadership and continuity.
Meanwhile, sporting director Simon Rolfes has echoed Ten Hag’s position: while acknowledging that any potential transfer must satisfy three parties—the club, the player, and the buying club—he emphasized that Xhaka remains a non-negotiable asset unless an acceptable offer is made, with Leverkusen reportedly holding out for double Sunderland’s initial £10m bid.
Although Xhaka’s camp has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Sunderland, multiple sources—including Leverkusen officials—deny any active negotiations with AC Milan or other suitors. Allegations that Ten Hag only contacted Xhaka weeks after his arrival—and omitted discussions of captaincy—have caused some friction, but according to Ten Hag, the silence was intentional, aimed at allowing players rest after the season, not personal distancing.
The broader picture reveals a player who is both strategically central and emotionally invested in Leverkusen’s next chapter. Though Xhaka has admitted feeling drained amid the club’s rapid turnover—“I’m not 25 anymore,” he candidly commented—it remains to be seen whether pressure from Sunderland or another suitor will test Ten Hag’s resolve.
Why It Matters
- Leadership amid transition: With several veterans leaving, Xhaka offers continuity, voice, and organizational stability.
- Midfield control: His role as a deep-lying playmaker remains integral to Ten Hag’s tactical plans.
- Message to the squad: Ten Hag’s stance signals a decisive shift—no more departures without serious cause or compensation.
Unless Sunderland—or another club—dramatically improves its offer, it appears Leverkusen’s midfield lynchpin will remain in Germany. Ten Hag’s message is loud and clear: this summer, Xhaka is not going anywhere.
