Sunderland could add a player to their squad that Newcastle United know very well as they aim to avoid Premier League relegation.
Newcastle United’s biggest rivals are back in the top flight and have been bolstering their squad with a flurry of new recruits. They even broke their transfer record, with Habib Diarra arriving from Strasbourg for £30million.
But Sunderland are not finished there, as they aim to add some Premier League experience to their squad.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has reported that the Black Cats are trying to sign Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, as they attempt to bring the former Arsenal captain back to English football.
Newcastle United wanted Granit Xhaka after Arsenal fallout
Had things gone differently, Xhaka already could have played in the North East for a Premier League club.
That is because Steve Bruce wanted to sign Xhaka midway through his first season as Newcastle United manager.
Xhaka had been named Arsenal captain by Unai Emery in September 2019. However, he did not have the armband for long.
Less than two months later following an altercation with Arsenal fans, the Switzerland international was stripped of the captaincy and suddenly seemed set to leave the Emirates.
Bruce sensed an opportunity, with the Times reporting in November 2019 that Newcastle United were ready to launch a January move for the midfielder.
It would have been a marquee deal for the Magpies, at a time when Mike Ashley was reluctant to put his hand in his pocket and invest in the Newcastle United squad.
The situation would soon change, with Mikel Arteta replacing Emery as the Arsenal manager. The Spaniard brought Xhaka back into the fold, ending Bruce’s dream of adding him to his midfield.
Shortly after welcoming him back into the fold, Arteta told Arsenal’s official website that Xhaka is a ‘natural leader’.
Sunderland are also targeting another former Newcastle United transfer target
Xhaka is not the only former Newcastle United transfer target that Sunderland are interested in.
They are also in the market for a goalkeeper, with TBR Football reporting that Regis Le Bris is eyeing Aaron Ramsdale.
Newcastle targeted Ramsdale in 2024, at a time when Eddie Howe wanted direct competition for Nick Pope. The Magpies targeted Ramsdale and Giorgi Mamardashvili, but neither arrived on Tyneside as the club changed their approach.
Instead, Newcastle switched their attention to James Trafford. More than 12 months later, Toon fans are still waiting for that transfer to be completed.
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