DONE DEAL; Sunderland agree terms with £17m “monster” More exciting than Lauriente
Sunderland Yet to Win in Pre-Season, but Positives Emerge in Algarve
Sunderland are still searching for their first pre-season victory during their trip to the Algarve, but there have been plenty of encouraging signs along the way.
Facing strong opposition in the form of Sevilla and Sporting CP, the Black Cats came away with a 1-1 draw and a narrow 1-0 defeat—hardly worrying results considering many of Regis Le Bris’ starting XI are still building chemistry after a wave of new arrivals.
Among the standout performers were midfield duo Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, both of whom impressed supporters watching on.
Excitingly, reports suggest Sunderland could soon add another dynamic presence in midfield.
Sunderland Reach Agreement with £17m Midfield General
Naturally, Sunderland fans are cautious after recent transfer setbacks—most notably the collapse of a deal for Armand Lauriente, who was even pictured en route to the Stadium of Light before the move fell apart at the last minute.
However, optimism is returning after The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Sunderland have agreed personal terms with Granit Xhaka.
The experienced Swiss international is reportedly focused solely on joining the newly promoted side, with hopes that the transfer can be completed swiftly and smoothly.
Valued at around €20m (£17m), Xhaka would represent a major coup for Sunderland, and arguably a bigger signing than Lauriente ever would have been.
Why Xhaka Could Outshine Lauriente as a Signing
There’s no denying Lauriente’s talent. The French winger enjoyed a standout season in Serie B, netting 18 goals for Sassuolo and helping them secure promotion to Serie A.
His technical flair even earned him high praise from football scout Jacek Kulig.
Yet, Xhaka brings something different—an elite level of experience and consistency, particularly in more competitive environments.
Last season, he registered two goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen, playing a pivotal role as the club broke Bayern Munich’s long-standing grip on the league title.
Across 174 Bundesliga appearances—66 with Leverkusen—Xhaka has contributed 11 goals and 10 assists, with most of those coming in high-pressure scenarios.
Comparatively, Lauriente has made just 133 appearances in top-flight football across Serie A and Ligue 1.
Perhaps more crucially, Xhaka already knows the demands of the Premier League. Despite his ups and downs at Arsenal, he made 225 league appearances, scoring 17 goals and assisting 25.
His combative presence in midfield saw him win over 1,000 duels, earning him praise as a “monster” by Arsenal journalist Connor Humm.
The Right Signing for Sunderland’s Premier League Return
With his blend of steel and quality, Xhaka could be exactly what Sunderland need to handle the challenges of Premier League survival.
Chelsea legend Joe Cole has even described the midfielder as a “technician,” underlining the calibre of the player Sunderland are closing in on.
Lauriente may have evolved into a star under Le Bris’ guidance, but if the focus is on proven top-flight talent, completing the Xhaka deal should be the club’s top priority.
