Sunderland

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Sunderland are keen on taking Chelsea striker Marc Guiu on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old is being made available by Chelsea given they boast a host of other options and Guiu has previously attracted the attention of relegated Ipswich Town.

However, the chance of going on loan within the Premier League could also be attractive as Chelsea and the £5m signing from Barcelona in 2024 weigh up their options.

Guiu got six goals in 16 matches in his first season at Chelsea.

The Blues could also loan out winger Tyrique George, also 19, with both attackers having played a substantial role during Chelsea's Conference League win last season.

Chelsea have since signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens. They are also in talks to add RB Leipzig attacker midfielder Xavi Simons to Enzo Maresca's squad.

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New Sunderland signing Granit Xhaka says he "felt the energy and mentality" of the club and fans upon choosing to make the move back to the Premier League from Bayer Leverkusen.

Xhaka left Arsenal after seven years in 2023 and won the league and cup double in his first season in Germany.

The 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the Stadium of Light, including 137 appearances for Switzerland and featuring at six major tournaments, most recently captaining the team at Euro 2024.

"I'm very proud to be here," Xhaka said on his arrival.

"When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history.

"I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well."

Black Cats boss Regis le Bris added: "First of all, it's a massive statement about the attractiveness of the club. If a player of that dimension, says yes to our project, it means something.

"He brings many things for the balance of the squad. He's a captain, a leader, has strong experience in the Premier League and the national team. We're really happy."

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Summer signing Simon Adingra got his first goal for Sunderland but could not prevent Regis le Bris' side slipping to defeat at Hull in a friendly on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old swept home a fine finish to give the Black Cats the lead after just 11 minutes but they were pegged back by the Championship side when Nathan Tisdale levelled.

After Le Bris made 10 substitutions, Hull's Abu Kamara slotted home a second-half winner.

Despite the loss, the Sunderland boss was happy with the improvement in his side's performance after they were comprehensively beaten by Hearts on Saturday.

"This evening, I felt we showed improvement across different phases of the game. Of course, we made some mistakes, but that's part of the process," he said.

"It's about finding the right balance between taking risks and playing it safer when necessary."

Sunderland are next in action on Saturday at home to Conference League finalists Real Betis.

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We asked for your thoughts on whether impending signing Granit Xhaka is exactly what the Black Cats need for their Premier League return.

Here are some of your comments:

Stu: The signing of Xhaxa is a gamechanger in terms of the profile of the club externally. It will make many sit up outside of the club and note that Sunderland are serious and not only in the Premier League to make up the numbers. It reminds me of the summer in '99 when Stefan Schwarz signed, who at the time was Sweden captain, and like Xhaxa had a huge pedigree and reputation. He was outstanding for us and believe Xhaxa will be the same in raising standards on and off the pitch. Love it and Ha'way the lads!

P Dinsley: Xhaka is exactly what Sunderland could do with in the middle of the pitch. His experience and commitment should inspire the younger talents around him. He will have plenty of players around him to provide the pace we will require to compete in the Premier League.

David: As an elite, proven midfielder his experience will be invaluable and the fee is more than justified if he helps us stay up. It speaks volumes of his character that he wants to take on the challenge and it will also ensure the backing of the fanbase from the outset. Clever all round.

Chris: Only time will tell whether or not the Xhaka signing will be a success, but without the benefit of hindsight, I think it's definitely worth the risk. Even at a slightly elevated fee. Not only for the experience and quality he can bring directly, but also for the knowledge he can impart to the youngsters around him. With lots of top coaches at the club, I also think he has seen this as an opportunity to work towards the next steps in his career and learning from them to develop his leadership skills further.

Jon: He's exactly what we need. Experienced midfielder that can be the influence around the younger players.

Nigel: He is exactly the type of player we need. He will bring leadership and experience to a young team. The midfield signings so far are all energetic young players who will do the box-to-box work. Xhaka is a great distributor of the ball and will be a valuable addition to the team.

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The probable arrival of Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka is a "huge signing" and "fantastic news" for Sunderland, believes former striker Marco Gabbiadini.

The Black Cats have agreed a £13m deal to sign the 32-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen, with a potential £4m in add-ons.

After spending seven years at Arsenal in the Premier League, he moved to Levekusen in 2023 and won the Bundesliga in his first season.

"He is a huge signing," Gabbiadini said. "He has obviously seen a connection that he thinks he can make. It is fantastic news for us.

"He is a brilliant tournament player for Switzerland and is exactly the all-rounder that we need. He has quality but also that little bit of nastiness and tenacity that you need. That is what he epitomises. He is solid - as his name suggests.

"It is going to be a big issue for us this year - that physicality in the middle of the park and Xhaka will bring that. With all the games he has played in the Premier League, he is a very exciting prospect."

Xhaka has plenty of experience in England, scoring 23 goals in 297 appearances for the Gunners and helping them win the FA Cup twice.

On whether Xhaka is a better signing than former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has joined Brentford this summer, Gabbiadini added: "That is up for debate. We won't know until we see. They are similar players in many respects and they both have a goal in them.

"The biggest issue for us is how many games he is going to play. Injuries haven't been a big issue for him, sometimes you just get players like that. That is a huge bonus for us as well."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is on the brink of a move to Sunderland after the Black Cats agreed a fee with Bayer Leverkusen on Monday.

If he does sign, he will provide the one thing the Black Cats sorely lack: Premier League experience.

Just six members of their current squad have played in the English top flight before, with the only players to have started in the competition winger Simon Adingra, who arrived from Brighton this month, and back-up goalkeeper Simon Moore.

Adingra, Moore, Ian Poveda, Patrick Roberts, Leo Hjelde and Niall Huggins boast a combined total of just 85 appearances. Those figures are dwarfed by Xhaka, who has played in 225 Premier League games.

He has also won a record 137 caps for Switzerland, wearing the captain's armband since 2020.

How do you feel about signing Xhaka?

Is the 32-year-old exactly what Sunderland need?

Or is he not the right profile for Regis le Bris?

Let us know here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Granit Xhaka has Premier League experience in abundance, something Sunderland sorely lacked before their return to the top flight.

The 32-year-old arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2016 under Arsene Wenger.

He scored 23 goals in 297 appearances for the Gunners, helping them win the FA Cup twice and finish runners-up in the Premier League in his final season of 2022-23.

We have a decent idea of what to expect from the Switzerland international - so here is a reminder of his highs and lows.

Run-ins with referees

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Granit Xhaka's disciplinary record did make the headlines numerous times during his Arsenal career, perhaps unsurprising given he was sent off five times for previous club Borussia Monchengladbach.

In his debut season he saw red twice, with his first coming on his fifth Premier League start against Swansea, followed by another at home to Burnley later in the campaign.

That one against Burnley is usually remembered because he grabbed Ashley Westwood by the neck.

In total, he was dismissed five times during his spell in north London, all of them straight reds - and he was also no stranger to yellow cards, accumulating 55 yellow cards in the league alone.

His time away from the Premier League may have helped though, Xhaka not being sent off at all during two seasons with RB Leipzig.

Six weeks as Gunners captain

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Xhaka was appointed Arsenal captain by Unai Emery on 27 September 2019 but was stripped of the role by 5 November.

It was a tense period at the club when the Gunners hosted Crystal Palace on 27 October 2019. Friction between fans and the club had been escalating for weeks with results and performances under Emery leaving a lot to be desired.

But the game turned toxic just after the hour when Xhaka was substituted to roars of delight from Arsenal's fans.

He reacted angrily to jeers at his slow departure by waving and cupping his ear sarcastically to the home support, exchanging words before taking off his shirt and disappearing down the tunnel.

From outcast to irreplaceable

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Mikel Arteta's arrival in December 2019 helped Xhaka turn his Gunners career around.

Signed by Wenger as a box-to-box midfielder, he ended up playing more as a defensive midfielder, which landed him in some rather sticky situations.

Losing possession in deep central areas facing his own goal often resulted in conceding goals and it was something Arteta wanted and had to fix.

Following Oleksandr Zinchenko's arrival in the summer of 2022, Arsenal had the tools to adopt a 4-3-3 system heading into the 2022-23 season and Xhaka moved from those deep central areas to a more advanced position on the left side of midfield.

And this is where he thrived.

Xhaka was involved in 16 goals that season (nine goals, seven assists), his highest tally in a single campaign.

According to Opta, all nine of his goals were scored from inside the box after 10 of his first 14 goals for the Gunners came from outside the area.

Redemption

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From those boos in 2019 to a raucous chorus of "we want you to stay" - Xhaka's story is ultimately one of redemption.

He eventually left Arsenal in July 2023 to join Bayer Leverkusen for £21.4m but went out on a high, scoring twice in the final game of the season, a 5-0 home win against Wolves, before being given a standing ovation as he was substituted late on.

Departing Emirates Stadium as a fans' favourite, he returns to the Premier League without anything to prove - and ready to add limitless steel and heart to Sunderland's midfield.

There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Sunderland.

When was the moment it all began?

What is your most special memory?

Your first home game? Earliest shirt? A seminal away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

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Sunderland fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Scottish Premiership side Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Regis Le Bris did name a strong side for the Craig Gordon testimonial match - as the Black Cats continue to prepare for life in the Premier League - but key figures Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg and Wilson Isidor were still absent through injury.

Le Bris made eight changes at 70 minutes, fielding a much younger side with a number of players playing out of position, but it still wasn't enough to find the back of the net.

Their attention will now turn to their next pre-season friendly against Championship side Hull City on Tuesday, 29 July (19:45 BST).

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Sunderland have launched their 2025-26 home kit which is "inspired by the past and designed for the future".

The shirt takes influence from the 1986-88 design and sees the crest return to a central position for the first time since the 1990s.

There is also a nod to Wearside as the white stripes feature "a subtle vertical pattern inspired by the designs of the brand-new Keel Crossing bridge".

What do you make of it?

Choose your verdict here

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Craig Gordon has been reflecting on his time at the Sunderland before his Hearts testimonial.

The Black Cats will travel to Scotland to face Gordon's boyhood and current side at Tynecastle on Saturday.

Gordon made 94 appearances for Sunderland between 2007 and 2012, including 87 in the Premier League.

"They are the best possible team to come up and play with my links to both clubs," the 42-year-old told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It was the obvious choice and when I found out they were able to I was delighted.

"The fans at Sunderland were excellent with me. It is a city that just loves football. That was the one thing that I will always remember from my time there - how much the people were onside and always supported the club.

"That's not always the case in your career, that people are that passionate and care that much about the club. To have the fans come up in their numbers and share in this occasion would always be my number-one choice.

"I'm really looking forward to getting the chance to thank the Sunderland fans for my time there.

"In football, you don't often get the chance to say goodbye. You move on and that's the next chapter of your career. I've never had the chance to go back.

"There are still some people there from when I was there so I'm looking forward to seeing them."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Granit Xhaka has agreed terms with Sunderland, with the club now in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a fee for the 32-year-old Switzerland midfielder. (Times - subscription required, external)

However, Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag says Xhaka "is too important for us to let him go". (Bild, via Sky Sports Germany - in German, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Sunderland concluded their time in Portugal with a 1-0 defeat by domestic champions Sporting.

A first-half strike from Francisco Trincao separated the two sides as the Black Cats completed their training camp in the Algarve.

New signings Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, and Chemsdine Talbi all featured as manager Regis le Bris rotated his squad after 45 minutes.

Speaking after the game to the club website, Le Bris said: "We created some good chances, but unfortunately we didn't score.

"It is really important now that when you're creating chances, you are clinical as well because that will be key this season.

"I am happy with the energy and happy with the way we created some chances, but at the end, we have to score.

"We struggled a bit in the first half and conceded a goal with the only opportunity they had.

"It is better to make that mistake right now so we can understand how we want to defend against this kind of squad.

"They were mature, well-organised, and had many different options - through the middle and in behind.

"It is good to manage this kind of problem early in the season."

Sunderland and Fenerbahce remain interested in Granit Xhaka, despite Bayer Leverkusen rejecting both their bids for the 32-year-old Switzerland midfielder. (Florian Plettenberg), external

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Sunderland have pulled out of a £17.5m deal to bring in 26-year-old French forward Armand Lauriente from Italian club Sassuolo. (Northern Echo, external)

Highly-rated Sunderland and England youth keeper Matty Young, 19, could return for a second spell on loan at League Two Salford. (Sunderland Echo, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Sunderland are still "looking to bring more players in" as they prepare for their Premier League return, says BBC Radio Newcastle Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes.

Speaking on the Total Sport show, Barnes said: "[Making transfers] is not over. Kristjaan Speakman has been - I think he used the word 'loose' with how much information he is giving out.

"Both he and Regis le Bris said on Saturday they are looking to bring more players in. They still need strength in depth. The feeling is that it's the spine of the side – goalkeeper, midfielder, forward. The loan market will also be exploited over next few weeks.

"They have got good business done already and, as Regis has pointed out, the sooner you can get them in the building, the sooner you can get them integrated into the processes.

"Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi [has been linked] and he has very impressive statistics. Very calm, very collected - and one quote said that if you play a bad ball back to him then he deals with it very calmly – which may be important for Sunderland this season."

After the Black Cats were also linked with former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, Barnes added: "He is experienced. He knows the Premier League. The key, as far as the manager and board are concerned, is they need players who will slot into a Premier League team and not be out of their depth.

"When you look where Sunderland have come from last season, they are going to need a lot of players who are prepared to play at this level.

"The gap is still big between the Championship and the Premier League. As excited as people are getting, what is being done and the numbers, it is still a big ask."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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Former Sunderland defender Darren Williams selcted Lee Cattermole, Marcus Stewart, Andy Reid, Chris Maguire and Luke O'Nien as his five most underrated players the club has had in the 21st Century.

We asked for your thoughts on his selections:

Sean: O'Nien is a worthy winner. Consistency, longevity and playing through injuries, as well as leadership on and off the pitch. Maguire wasn't underrated, though - he had a great game in him but nowhere near often enough. Gavin McCann would be my pick to replace him - an unsung player in our best years, while Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips took the acclaim.

Tait: Cattermole was a top underrated player. He could tackle, pass short or long, motivate team-mates and much more. At a time when Sunderland weren't great, and perhaps some players weren't bothered, he never gave less than 100%.

Luke: There are about 50 players better than Maguire I can think of...

Simon: Agree Cattermole was a massively underrated and hugely important player for us. Terrific servant - more so given his Middlesbrough roots. I would also put Alex Rae on my list, another wholehearted lad who led by example.

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Former Sunderland forward Martin Smith believes "everything seems to be on the right path" before the club's return to the Premier League next month, with the Black Cats' transfer window spending already hitting £100m.

"The intent of the signings has been refreshing compared with years gone by," Smith told BBC Radio Newcastle's Simon Pryde. "We are doing it early and we are spending a lot of money.

"I'm sure the players that are coming in have a bit of realism about them that this isn't going to be easy, but they are coming to stay up and be Premier League players - there is no doubt about that.

"The lads that got to the Premier League with us, through the Championship, there is no way they are going to want to give up their spot in this league easily.

"Everything about the club seems to be on the right path, so there is no reason why it can't translate on the pitch as well."

On whether Sunderland should be looking at signing a 15-goal-per-season striker, Smith added: "The hardest thing about the Premier League is creating chances and being clinical with them. You're not going to get as many as you did in the Championship.

"Have we got someone like Kevin Phillips at the minute? Someone who can step into the Premier League and score that many goals? Probably not.

"I wouldn't be massively concerned if Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor were leading the line, though, because you don't know how players are going to step up. You see lads going into the Premier League and taking it by storm, but I would still like to see someone with a bit more proven quality."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds

Sunderland are exploring a move to sign 32-year-old Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka. (Sky Sports), external

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