Head coach Erik ten Hag has made it clear that Granit Xhaka will not be leaving Bayer Leverkusen this summer, despite interest from Sunderland. The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder's agent had previously indicated that personal terms had been agreed with the newly promoted Premier League club, but Ten Hag has firmly shut down any possibility of a transfer.

Bayer Leverkusen has already seen the departure of key players such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah to Liverpool and Bayern Munich respectively. Ten Hag emphasized that the club cannot afford to lose any more players, stating, "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players. We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad."

Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal in 2023, has been a pivotal figure for the club. In his debut season, he played a crucial role in securing the Bundesliga title and the German Cup double under former coach Xabi Alonso. Despite their Europa League final loss to Atalanta, Xhaka's leadership and experience have been invaluable to the team.

With three years remaining on his five-year contract, Xhaka's importance to Leverkusen is undeniable. Ten Hag, who took over as head coach earlier this summer following Alonso's move to Real Madrid, has no intentions of disrupting the squad's stability. "It's clear - Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go," Ten Hag reiterated.

Xhaka's seven-year stint in the Premier League with Arsenal has made him a well-known figure in English football, but for now, his future remains firmly in Germany. As the summer transfer window progresses, Leverkusen fans can rest assured that their star midfielder will continue to be a key player in their quest for further success.