Sunderland are close to signing Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen; the 32-year-old has three years left on his Leverkusen deal; Xhaka has 137 caps for Switzerland and won the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen;

Granit Xhaka has agreed terms with Sunderland, with the club now in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a fee for the 32-year-old Switzerland midfielder. (Times - subscription required)

Leandro Trossard has reacted to a new message from Granit Xhaka as he edges closer to a surprise move to Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen.

Sunderland look to be closing in on an ambitious deal for Granit Xhaka Sunderland may have been handed another boost in their efforts to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka after it was confirmed that Turkish talent Hakan Calhanoglu will not be leaving Inter Milan this season.

Granit Xhaka is the latest name linked with a move to Sunderland AFC, as Regis Le Bris continues to ready the Black Cats for their first season back in the Premier League in almost a decade