Bundesliga
Xhaka “too important for us to lose” – Ten Hag
Bayer Leverkusen have finished their pre-season training camp in Brazil, but the future of Granit Xhaka has been a major topic of discussion during their preparations for 2025/26. Amidst talk of a move to Sunderland, Erik ten Hag and Simon Rolfes have now made their stance clear on the Swiss midfielder’s future.
Asked after overseeing the team’s last training session in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday about Xhaka’s potential departure, Ten Hag was adamant in what he wants.
“His agent can say whatever he likes, but this club has lost three important players and we won’t lose more,” the Dutchman firmly stated.
Watch: Leverkusen visit Christ the Redeemer
“It’s not on. It would disrupt the structure but above all the culture of the squad. Granit is a leader.
“He signed here for five years and still has three to go. He’s too important for us to sell him.”
Ten Hag therefore fully intends to have the Switzerland captain in his team come the start of the new season in August.
Managing director for sport Simon Rolfes was more diplomatic in his response and reiterated previous statements.
“I’ve always said that Granit is an important leader. There can only be one situation where things change,” which would be an offer from Sunderland that the 2023/24 double winners find satisfactory.
“He’s got three years left on his contract, and things will only change when all three parties agree.”
Watch: Rolfes discussed Xhaka's future earlier days earlier
Leverkusen fly home from Rio on Wednesday evening and will touch back down in Cologne in the early hours of Thursday.
Xhaka or no Xhaka, Ten Hag also still wants reinforcements for his squad on arrival in Germany.
“It’s clear what we need. We need weapons. We have weapons, but we need to be able to bring strikers like Patrik Schick or Victor Boniface into play. We’re still missing that.
“We need to work on getting players who can do that. We’ve got one in Malik Tillman, but we need more.”
The Werkself have been active in the transfer market this summer, making seven senior signings alongside USMNT international Tillman. Apart from goalkeeper Mark Flekken, none are older than 23, as the club rebuilds for the future in the wake of losing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, plus Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich.