Erik ten Hag has firmly rejected the idea of Granit Xhaka leaving Bayer Leverkusen, despite claims from his agent that a deal with Sunderland had been agreed upon. Following the departures of key players Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Jonathan Tah, Xhaka’s agent stated that a transfer agreement had been reached, and the Swiss international was eager to move on. However, manager Ten Hag has refuted these claims, stating that Xhaka is a crucial part of the team and is not for sale.
“The agent can make all the claims he wants, but Xhaka is a leader in our squad. With the recent departures, we cannot afford to lose any more key players,” said Ten Hag. “He is under contract for three more years, and his presence is essential for us.”
Having won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in 2024, Leverkusen had a trophyless season last year. With the changes in the squad and management, losing Xhaka would further weaken the team. Ten Hag is determined to maintain the structure and culture within the club, and Xhaka plays a significant role in that.
It remains to be seen if Xhaka will push for a move away from Leverkusen this summer. In the meantime, Ten Hag’s team is preparing for their next pre-season friendly against VFL Bochum, as they aim to bounce back from a challenging season and build a strong squad for the upcoming campaign.
