Erik Ten Hag says that Xhaka granite too important for Bayer Leverkusen to sell

Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga team cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, said director Erik Ten Hag among the reports binding him to a move to Sunderland.

Leverkusen has already lost the playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to the Premier League Liverpool champions, while the center-center Jonathan Tah moved to Bayern Munich.

The former man of Arsenal Xhaka was linked to a move to Sunderland, with his agent saying to the German media that the 32 -year -old Swiss skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly promoted Premier League club.

“The agent can say everything. But this club has already lost three important players,” Ten Hag at the German media on Tuesday.

“”We will no longer let players leave, it is not possible. Which would neglect the structure and also the culture of the team.

“”It’s clear – Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and he has left three years on his contract. It is too important for us to let it go. “”

Xhaka helped Leverkusen guarantee the double of the 2023-24 season when they raised their first Bundesliga title without losing match, won the German Cup and reached the final of the Europa League.

He made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and recording nine assists.

The former Manchester United manager, Ten Hag, replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spanish departure to manage his former Real Madrid club.