Ten Hag: Xhaka exit to Sunderland ‘not possible’ for Leverkusen

Erik ten Hag insisted that it is not feasible for Bayer Leverkusen to sell Granit Xhaka this summer.

According to Xhaka’s agent, the midfielder has already agreed personal terms with Premier League new boys Sunderland.

Xhaka played 225 in the English top flight during his time with Arsenal, scoring 17 goals and registering 24 assists in that time.

He then marked his return to Germany in style after helping Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal under Xabi Alonso.

The Switzerland international provided seven assists and two goals in the league last season, with Leverkusen finishing 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag has already lost Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah ahead of his first season in charge of the German club, and he is not willing to lose another important figure in the dressing room.

“The agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three players go,” Ten Hag told Bild.

“We won’t be letting any more leave – that’s not possible. It would damage the structure and culture of the squad.

“It’s very clear – Granit is a leader. He signed a five-year contract and still has three years left. He’s too important for us to let go.”

Leverkusen managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes, added: “I’ve repeatedly said that Granit is an important leadership figure. The coach and I are very much aligned when it comes to this.

“We’re generally in constant dialogue with our players. In the end, it’s always a three-party situation. Granit still has three years left on his contract – fundamentally, a transfer can only happen if all three parties agree.”