Bayer Leverkusen boss responds to Granit Xhaka’s Sunderland transfer request | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has reacted to Granit Xhaka’s Sunderland transfer request. The Bundesliga club executive did not explicitly deny that the Swiss international wished to head back to the England, but did deny that the Black Cats had submitted a formal bid.

“There is no new offer,” Rolfes – as quoted by Kicker – noted before the start of Leverkusen’s Tuesday training session in Rio de Janeiro. “Everything is just as I said before.“

Rolfes specifically referred to an interview he conducted four days ago, in which he responded to Xhaka transfer speculation by demanding a “win-win” situation for both player and club. Financially speaking, this translates to at least a €20m offer for the midfield talisman.

Xhaka partook in Leverkusen’s early training session and, according to Kicker, appeared to be in “high spirits“. Rolfes’ words notwithstanding, a deal between the two sides can probably be ironed out soon.

GGFN | Peter Weis