Sunderland could face one of their biggest decisions of the summer, with Turkish giants Beşiktaş eyeing a move for the Black Cats’ midfield captain, Granit Xhaka. According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, via Sport Witness, Beşiktaş are tracking the 33-year-old Swiss international, who is reportedly keen on a move to Istanbul.
Sunderland risk losing their Premier League engine as Beşiktaş show interest in silence
The Turkish club plan to hold a board meeting after their game against Çaykur Rizespor, where manager Sergen Yalçın and president Serdal Adalı will discuss summer targets. Xhaka is high on that shortlist. Crucially, the midfielder is spending his summer break in Antalya, meaning he will already be in Türkiye as talks develop. He played 84% of Sunderland’s Premier League minutes this season, starting 83% of their games. His current deal runs until 2028, and Sunderland have no intention of letting him go.
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Can Sunderland afford to let their midfield heartbeat walk away this summer?
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland shouts instructions during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland at Molineux on May 02, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Sunderland need to stand firm here, and they have the control to do so. Regis Le Bris has quietly put together a really cohesive side at the Stadium of Light this season, and the Swiss captain is the glue holding it all together. His positional awareness, strength in transition, and protection of the back four offer something younger players simply can’t match right away.
To be fair, Xhaka is now 33, can still pick up rash bookings, and won’t be able to press intensely forever. But those downsides are minor compared to what he brings to the team. Sunderland fought incredibly hard to get back into the Premier League, and keeping hold of their most experienced leader for the 2026-27 season lays down a real marker. With his contract running until 2028, Sunderland are in complete control. They need to shut this down quickly because letting the rumours drag on helps no one but Beşiktaş.
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