A Serie A giant made a firm move for Granit Xhaka prior to his move to Sunderland.

Granit Xhaka has established himself as a firm favourite with the Stadium of Light faithful since joining Sunderland last summer.

There was some surprise when the former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder became arguably the most high-profile addition to Regis Le Bris’ Premier League-bound squad just months after the Black Cats had secured promotion into the top flight with a Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United. Named as captain ahead of the big return to English football’s elite, Xhaka led by example and proved to be an inspired addition by playing an integral role in securing a seventh place finish and only the second European campaign in the club’s long and proud history.

placeholder image — Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt

However, things could have been very different for Xhaka had one of world football’s most iconic clubs followed up their interest in him prior to his move to Wearside. Former AC Milan sporting director Igor Tare has revealed the Serie A giants were keen on securing the services of the Switzerland midfielder during the summer of 2025 as they looked to inject some leadership and nous into their squad.

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A move for Croatia and Real Madrid legend Luka Modric was completed and he has provided a solid and classy presence in the Rossoneri side over the last 16 months. Tare, who stepped down from his role at the San Siro earlier this year, compared Black Cats star Xhaka to Modric and admitted the latter ‘has a different way of being a leader’ and revealed he was keen to pair the experienced duo in the heart of the Milan side as they looked to challenge on a number of fronts last season.

Speaking to Sky Italia’s Calcio Unplugged, the former Albania international said: “At Milan, the feeling I had at the beginning was that leadership was lacking. In addition to Modrić’s arrival, Xhaka, the Bayer Leverkusen captain, also needed to arrive to bring these two real players into the team, with important characteristics that could lead a group. Xhaka didn’t arrive; Luka arrived, who has a different way of being a leader; he’s more quiet in his attitude on and off the pitch.”

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