When Granit Xhaka will make his return to the Emirates as transfer agreed for former Arsenal star

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In a shock turn of events, Granit Xhaka is on his way back to the Premier League two years after leaving Arsenal.

Xhaka spent seven years at the Emirates before calling it quits to join Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023.

Things weren’t always rosy for the Switzerland international in England, but that hasn’t deterred the midfielder from returning.

After spending two years with Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga in an unbeaten season, Xhaka is on his way back to the Premier League.

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Fabrizio Romano confirms Granit Xhaka’s pending transfer to Sunderland

Xhaka was close to joining Alexandre Lacazette at Neom SC, but the 32-year-old chose a different path.

Fabrizio Romano issued a ‘here we go’ for Xhaka’s transfer to Sunderland, who were promoted to the Premier League via the playoffs after spending eight seasons away from the top flight. 

The renowned transfer expert revealed that a deal has been agreed, with Sunderland set to tie the midfielder down to a two-year contract, paying a transfer fee in the region of £17m.

Leverkusen have given the former Arsenal midfielder the ‘green light’ to travel to the North East to complete a medical.

The Black Cats are enjoying a statement transfer window so far, with Xhaka set to bolster Regis Le Bris’ ranks. 

When Xhaka will return to the Emirates

It will be strange seeing Xhaka line up against Arsenal so soon after leaving the club.

Only last season, Jamie Redknapp suggested that Arsenal still miss Xhaka, whose playmaking and defensive nous made him the perfect midfielder in the Premier League.

Sunderland will now benefit from the 32-year-old’s brilliance, but hopefully not against Arsenal.

Arsenal will welcome Sunderland to the Emirates on the 7th February, when Xhaka will return to his former home to face the Gunners competitively in N5 for the first time since departing. 

The player and his former club will meet before then, as Arteta’s squad travels to the Stadium of Light on November 8th.

It will be a different reunion than expected for Xhaka and his ex-teammates, who will battle each other for three points in the Premier League.