The 32-year-old joined the Bundesliga club in 2023 after a long seven-year spell in North London, where he established himself as a combative leader for the Gunners.
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Since then, he has played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s setup and was instrumental in helping the team secure their first-ever Bundesliga title.
Sunderland weren’t the only club trying to lure Xhaka away from the BayArena, Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce also showed strong interest, submitting a concrete offer.
However, like the Black Cats, they appear to have fallen short. According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Xhaka is prioritising continuity and family stability over taking on a new challenge abroad.