What Happened to Granit Xhaka?
Granit Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer who currently captains Premier League club Sunderland and the Switzerland national team. After a successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in 2024, Xhaka made a surprising move to newly promoted Sunderland in July 2025, leading them to a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification in his debut season. As of July 2026, he is captaining Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup and is the subject of intense transfer speculation linking him to Chelsea for a reunion with former manager Xabi Alonso.
Quick Answer
Granit Xhaka currently plays as a defensive midfielder and captains Premier League club Sunderland, having joined them in July 2025 after winning a domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen. He is also the captain of the Switzerland national team, leading them at the 2026 FIFA World Cup where they have reached the knockout stages. As of early July 2026, Xhaka is a prime transfer target for Chelsea, with reports indicating he has agreed personal terms for a reunion with his former Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, though Sunderland has rejected initial bids and maintains he is not for sale.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in Basel, Switzerland
Granit Xhaka was born in Basel, Switzerland, to Albanian parents who had fled Yugoslavia.
Begins Senior Career at FC Basel
Xhaka started his senior professional career with FC Basel, where he quickly became a key player.
Wins Swiss Super League Titles with Basel
During his time at Basel, Xhaka won two consecutive Swiss Super League titles (2010-11, 2011-12) and the Swiss Cup (2011-12).
Transfers to Borussia Mönchengladbach
Xhaka moved to German Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach for an estimated fee of €8.5 million, where he spent four seasons.
Joins Arsenal in the Premier League
Granit Xhaka signed for Premier League club Arsenal for a fee in the region of £30 million, beginning a seven-year spell in London.
Wins First FA Cup with Arsenal
Xhaka helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2017, his first major trophy with the English club.
Wins Second FA Cup with Arsenal
He secured his second FA Cup trophy with Arsenal, further cementing his place in the team despite periods of controversy.
Signs for Bayer Leverkusen
Xhaka returned to the Bundesliga, joining Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract for €25 million, where he would reunite with Xabi Alonso.
Wins Historic Bundesliga Title with Bayer Leverkusen
Xhaka scored in Leverkusen's 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, clinching the club's first-ever German championship in an unbeaten season under Xabi Alonso.
Wins DFB-Pokal with Bayer Leverkusen
Completing a historic domestic double, Xhaka and Bayer Leverkusen also lifted the DFB-Pokal.
Joins Sunderland and Named Captain
In a surprising move, Xhaka returned to the Premier League, signing a three-year contract with newly promoted Sunderland for an initial £13 million and was immediately named club captain.
Sunderland Qualifies for Europa League
Xhaka captained Sunderland to a remarkable seventh-place finish in the Premier League, securing European football for the club for the first time in over 50 years.
Selected for 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Xhaka was named in Switzerland's 26-man squad for his fourth FIFA World Cup appearance.
Captains Switzerland at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Xhaka captained Switzerland in their opening 1-1 draw against Qatar at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming his country's joint-record appearance holder in the competition.
Chelsea Bid for Xhaka Rejected by Sunderland
Chelsea submitted an £8 million bid for Granit Xhaka, which Sunderland swiftly rejected, deeming it 'unacceptable'. Reports indicate Xhaka has agreed personal terms with Chelsea.
Chelsea Prepares Improved Bid for Xhaka
As of today, Chelsea is preparing a new, improved offer for Granit Xhaka, likely in the region of £10m to £12.5m, as Xabi Alonso pushes for a reunion with his former player, despite Sunderland's firm stance against selling.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Granit Xhaka's professional football journey began in his native Switzerland with FC Basel, where he quickly established himself as a promising talent, winning two Swiss Super League titles and a Swiss Cup between 2010 and 2012. His performances earned him a move to German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012, where he spent four seasons, developing a reputation as a technically gifted midfielder and a natural leader, even captaining the team to UEFA Champions League qualification.
In 2016, Xhaka made a high-profile transfer to Premier League club Arsenal for approximately £30 million. His seven-year tenure with the Gunners was marked by both significant contributions and notable controversies, including periods as club captain and winning two FA Cups. Despite his combative style and occasional disciplinary issues, he remained a cornerstone of Arsenal's midfield, making nearly 300 appearances.
A pivotal turning point in his career came in July 2023 when he returned to the Bundesliga, signing a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen for €25 million. Under the guidance of manager Xabi Alonso, Xhaka enjoyed a hugely successful debut season, playing a crucial role as Leverkusen achieved a historic domestic double, winning their first-ever Bundesliga title unbeaten and the DFB-Pokal in 2024.
However, Xhaka made a surprising move in July 2025, returning to England to join newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland on a three-year deal for a reported initial fee of £13 million. He was immediately named captain and led the Black Cats to an impressive seventh-place finish in the 2025-26 Premier League season, securing qualification for the Europa League, a feat for the club after more than 50 years. As of July 3, 2026, Xhaka is currently captaining the Switzerland national team at the FIFA World Cup, his fourth appearance in the tournament, where they have advanced to the knockout phase. Simultaneously, he is the subject of intense transfer speculation, with Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso, reportedly keen on reuniting with the midfielder. While Xhaka has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea, Sunderland has rejected initial bids, deeming them 'unacceptable' and insisting he is not for sale, setting the stage for a potential transfer saga.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Granit Xhaka made different choices?