The “significant” signing Sunderland could make to forget Xhaka

Sunderland fans were left shocked when incredibly experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka decided to join the club from Bayer Leverkusen after they had just been promoted from the Championship.

The Switzerland international joined for a fee of £13m and went on to captain the Black Cats to European football by finishing seventh in the Premier League table.

As shocked as supporters were when he arrived on Wearside, Sunderland fans may have been left even more surprised by the news that he is now pushing to leave the club after just 12 months.

The left-footed star has reportedly agreed personal terms with Premier League rivals Chelsea over a move to Stamford Bridge to reunite with his former Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso.

However, the two clubs are yet to agree a transfer fee for the central midfielder and it remains to be seen how much the Black Cats will demand for his services.

Sunderland pushing to sign Premier League midfielder

Xhaka leaving to sign for Chelsea this summer would, obviously, leave a hole for Regis Le Bris to fill in the middle of the park after he started 32 times in the league last season.

Now, the club are being linked with a player from one of their Premier League rivals who could arrive as an ideal replacement for the Swiss captain.

According to Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof, Sunderland are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Aston Villa midfielder Lamar Bogarde in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Dutchman is set for a “significant” move away from Villa Park this summer, and the Black Cats are in the race to secure his signature.

He adds that Le Bris’ side are pushing to sign the versatile 22-year-old star ahead of their Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, who are also keen on him.

However, Blaauwhof does not reveal how much money Aston Villa are set to demand to allow the talented midfield star to move on from their club this summer.

Why Sunderland should forget about Granit Xhaka

Xhaka was a phenomenal signing who came in and did even more than he was expected to do for Sunderland, but he also turns 34 in September and it remains to be seen how long he has left at his best at the elite level.

As much as it would still be ideal to keep him in the squad, cashing in on the Swiss star for a profit and bringing in a younger player with the potential to be the future of the midfield could work in Sunderland’s favour in the long run.

Bogarde may not be as experienced and battle-ready as Xhaka in the here and now, but the 22-year-old has shown great promise in his limited minutes for Villa so far.

He started eight of his 13 appearances in the Europa League as Villa went on to win the tournament and caught the eye with his contributions in the middle of the park as a defensive midfielder.

The Dutchman was one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the European competition, both with his use of the ball and his defensive contributions, which suggest that he could be a terrific player for Sunderland in the Europa League next term.

He did only start 11 of his 28 appearances in the Premier League, though, and it would be a leap of faith from Sunderland to expect him to come in and start week-in-week-out in the division as a replacement for Xhaka.

His form in the Europa League, a major European competition, when starting regularly, shows that he does have the quality to deliver excellent performances when called upon, though, which is why he could be an excellent signing.

At the age of 22, he is 11 years younger than Xhaka and could be the main man in midfield for the Black Cats for many more years to come, if he can adapt to being a regular starter in the Premier League.

It may not be the most exciting or natural replacement for Xhaka, given his inexperience, but it could be a move that works out brilliantly for the club in the long run.