ERIK TEN HAG is threatening to scupper Granit Xhaka’s dream Premier League return.
And the ex- boss claims the Swiss star is “too important” for Bayer Leverkusen to let him leave.
The 32-year-old former midfielder’s agent confirmed that the star has his heart set on a switch to Sunderland.
The Black Cats have agreed a three-year contract with and were hoping to make him their seventh summer signing in a £10million-plus deal.
: “We’ve reached an agreement in principle with Sunderland.
“Granit wants to return to the Premier League. excites him - he wants to take on this challenge.
“We hope will respect his wish to leave and that the clubs will find an agreement soon.”
However, newly-appointed Leverkusen boss has already lost Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah from his squad this summer.
And despite the pleas of Xhaka, the Dutchman is adamant that the veteran is going nowhere.
Speaking last night in Brazil on Leverkusen’s pre-season tour, Ten Hag said: “His agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three important players go, and we won’t let any more go.
“Granit is a leader and still has three years left on his contract here.
“It’s clear - Granit is a key player, he signed here for five years and still has three years left on his contract. He’s too important to us to let him go.”
Xhaka, who lifted the FA Cup twice during his seven years at Arsenal, joined Leverkusen in 2023.
He was instrumental in their incredible Bundesliga and German Cup successes during his first season there and made a further 49 appearances last term as they finished second to Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes doubled down on the player’s importance, though he described any potential exit as a “three-party” matter.
Rolfes said: “I have repeatedly said that Granit is an important leader. The coach and I agree on that.
“We are in dialogue with all our players. In the end, it’s always a three-party situation.
“Granit still has a three-year contract - and in principle, there can only be a change if all three sides agree to it.
“Topics like this always cause discussions and conversations. That’s why it doesn’t shock me.”
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