Why Sunderland want to sign World Cup star

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka helped Switzerland to progress through to the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-0 win over Algeria on Friday morning.

Whilst he continues to concentrate on making history with his country, there is still talk going on behind the scenes about where he will be playing his club football in the 2026/27 campaign.

Premier League giants Chelsea are interested in reuniting him with head coach Xabi Alonso and have already seen an offer of £8m rejected for the experienced midfielder.

The Black Cats viewed that offer as ‘insulting’, as they felt that it was way below his value, and has since been reported that the player has decided to stay on Wearside.

He has opted to turn down a move to Stamford Bridge and his relationship with the supporters at the club is said to have played a part in his decision to stay.

Sunderland are in the race to sign World Cup star

Despite the latest update being that he will stay at the Stadium of Light, Xhaka will need to be replaced in the mid-to-long term because he turns 34 in September and is heading towards the final years of his career.

Now, the club are reportedly looking at a star who could come in as a hybrid of both Xhaka and fellow star midfielder Enzo Le Fee ahead of next season.

According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign Roma central midfielder Neil El Aynaoui in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that intermediaries have already held talks with the Black Cats about the possibility of a deal for the Morocco international in the coming weeks.

It adds, though, that Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United have also been spoken to about a move for the 25-year-old talent.

TEAMtalk reveals that Roma would be willing to cash in on the midfield talent for the right price, but it remains to be seen how much that would be.

How El Aynaoui can be a Xhaka and Le Fee hybrid for Sunderland

In the 2025/26 campaign, Xhaka and Le Fee were the two standouts for Sunderland in midfield as the former provided strength and reliability as a combative midfielder, whilst the latter offered quality on the ball as a scorer and a creator.

The French attacking midfielder hit double figures for goal contributions in the Premier League with five goals and six assists in his first season in the division.

El Aynaoui has impressed at the World Cup for Morocco, starting all four of their games so far, and has produced Xhaka-esque performances with his work out of possession.

The Sunderland target is averaging a whopping 5.5 tackles and interceptions per match and has won over half of his physical duels in the middle of the park, which shows that he has the potential to be a replacement for Xhaka as a combative midfielder.

El Aynaoui, who was described as “immense” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has the physicality and the mobility to cover ground and cut out opposition attacks on a regular basis.

He only started eight times in the Serie A for Roma, unfortunately, but his form for Lens in Ligue 1 in the 2024/25 campaign shows that his form for Morocco is not a flash in the pan.

The 25-year-old star averaged 2.9 tackles and interceptions per match and did not make a single error that led to shots or goals for the opposition in the French top-flight that term.

On top of his defensive qualities, the midfield star also scored eight goals from 4.00 xG and created three ‘big chances’ and 2.38 xA for his teammates across 17 starts in Ligue 1, which earned him a move to Roma.

His form in France suggests that he has the potential to be a Le Fee-esque operator at the top end of the pitch by offering goals and creativity from the middle of the park.

The Morocco international, therefore, could be a brilliant addition to Regis Le Bris‘ squad because of the quality that he can offer in and out of possession, possibly making him an ideal replacement for Xhaka in the long run.