(Credit: Imago/Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Jonathan Burnett

Sun 10 August 2025 13:15, UK

Grant Xhaka has immediately been thrust to the forefront of Sunderland’s plans ahead of their Premier League return.

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The Black Cats’ busy summer of transfers has continued at pace after their promotion back to the top-flight, with Arthur Masuaku’s now-announced transfer set to shake things up in their left-back stocks.

Masuaku’s free transfer from Besiktas is the tenth signing of the window for Regis Le Bris‘ side with over £136million spent already, but Sunderland‘s highest-profile arrival so far is far from the most expensive.

Xhaka’s £17.3m move from Bayer Leverkusen to the Stadium of Light is expected to provide Sunderland with the steel needed to survive in the Premier League, and his role in pre-season so far suggests that he’ll be front and centre of their plans.

Regis Le Bris led Sunderland to promotion last season (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Sunderland’s pre-season results haven’t reflected the positivity generated by their transfer activity, with four straight defeats to Sporting, Hearts, Hull City and Real Betis before Saturday’s clash with Augsburg.

Xhaka has played the full 90 minutes of both their last two matches since his arrival, and in the absence of regular skipper Dan Neil, he captained the Black Cats as Habib Diarra’s goal secured a 1-0 victory.

Both Dan Ballard and Trai Hume would be go-to candidates to wear the armband with Neil unavailable, but Xhaka led Le Bris’ side throughout and posted on Instagram at full-time (9 August) after the win.

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He said: “Back in Germany it felt great to be here again!

Big thanks to everyone who came out and supported!”

Xhaka’s fellow new signing Reinildo Mandava left a comment in support, calling the 32-year-old “Capitan”.

Football Insider Verdict

Sunderland’s summer spending has taken many teams by surprise and as things stand, only the Premier League‘s ‘big six’ have shelled out more on transfer than the Black Cats in a clear statement of intent.

Leeds United and Burnley both won automatic promotion ahead of Sunderland, yet Daniel Farke has publicly stated that he’s not happy with Leeds’ failure to land their top attacking targets this summer.

With Xhaka, Reinildo, Diarra and a plethora of others moving to the Stadium of Light this summer, Le Bris hasn’t had the same problems whatsoever, and Sunderland are well placed to beat the drop next season.