Exclusive:Major Granit Xhaka transfer benefit identified as Sunderland urged to move for Premier League star
A former Sunderland and Leeds United star has praised Black Cats midfielder Granit Xhaka as he closes in on a return to fitness.
Former Sunderland defender Michael Gray has been impressed with the impact Granit Xhaka has made with his old club as the former Arsenal captain continues to provide a steadying influence on and off the pitch at the Stadium of Light.
The Switzerland international was a somewhat surprise addition to Regis Le Bris’ ranks as the Frenchman prepared his squad for their return to the Premier League - but there can be no doubt the move has paid off for both player and club. Although Xhaka is currently on the sidelines with an ankle injury, there are high hopes the experienced midfielder will return to contention in the near future after he delivered an update in a recent social media post.
Despite his lack of on-field action, Xhaka has continued to provide support for his team-mates in recent weeks as they have continued their push for the top seven of the Premier League and have progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup. Xhaka’s decision to swap life with Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen for a second crack at the Premier League will have captured the attention of potential transfer targets, according to Gray. With Sunderland’s top flight status all but secured, attention is quickly turning towards the next phase of their development and the former England international has stressed Xhaka’s success can provide a major boost to the Black Cats hopes of landing more high profile additions.
Gray, speaking exclusively to Sunderland Echo via CasinoBernie said: “It's amazing, isn't it. I think if they do want to start attracting the better players to the club, and you're speaking to those players, and you have a look and you go, right well who have Sunderland got? Well, they've got Granit Xhaka, well, if he can go to Sunderland, there's no reason why I shouldn't be wanting to go to Sunderland. And that is the importance of having somebody like him at the club and all these players from AFCON who have come over and they've done really well in the Premier League. Other AFCON players will have a look at that and go if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. And then when they do get to the club, they'll realise how big a club it is, the fan base, how well they've done.
“Trying to attract players, it's very difficult to try and throw a few at you. They've scored six goals away from home this season in the Premier League, so we obviously need a striker who can get into double figures. Somebody who's got a little bit more guile in midfield to play alongside a Granit Xhaka. Somebody who's going to keep more clean sheets for us. So I think that's the type of position and personnel that I would be looking at if I was trying to bring in players to make Sunderland a better side than they are already.”
Another level
Gray believes the signing of the experienced Xhaka proved the Stadium of Light hierarchy are willing to stray from their usual preference of capturing up and coming talent from across European football and revealed that is why he believes one Premier League striker should be on their list of targets for the summer transfer window.
He said: “Well, it would obviously depend on funds and whether he's fit or not, but somebody, and I know he's been linked to Italian football in January, but somebody like a Mateta. I think somebody like a Mateta, whether he fits the mould at Sunderland because I know most of the players are 25 and under - I know Xhaka is the exception to that.
“But somebody like Mateta I think could take Sunderland to even another level. He's got goals, I think he's a great team player, I see him when games are finished and he looks like he's got a great personality. He'd be fantastic in the dressing room. But that's what you want, you want people who are good in the dressing room and keep away from the egos.”