Sunderland Plotting Move For This Former Premier League Midfield Duo: Why They Must Not Give Up The Chase | OneFootball

If a recent transfer update from Fabrizio Romano is believed to be true, Sunderland are keen on bringing Frank Anguissa and Granit Xhaka back to the Premier League. But it won’t be straightforward for them, as the veteran midfield duo could end up staying put at Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen.

Anguissa has been exquisite for the Partenopei over the past three campaigns. The 29-year-old Cameroon international progressed through the academy ranks of Fortuna and Coton Sport back in his homeland before joining the youth setup of French outfit Reims on loan. The latter opted not to tie him down on permanent terms, which led to a transfer to Marseille following a successful trial.

Soon, he secured a first-team status for the Ligue 1 giants and was eventually signed by Fulham in August 2018 for a fee of around €24m. Meanwhile, the Cottagers loaned him out to Villarreal in La Liga upon being relegated to the Championship the following year. Anguissa returned to West London for the 2020-21 Premier League season, but he suffered another relegation, thus resulting in a move to Naples.

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Frank Anguissa of Napoli celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 25, 2025, in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Xhaka, on the other hand, is a far more familiar figure in English football after seven bittersweet years with Arsenal. The Swiss veteran, a product of FC Basel’s esteemed academy, joined the North London giants for £35m after a magnificent stint in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite 297 appearances for the Gunners, the 32-year-old had a mixed reception before returning to the Bundesliga a couple of summers ago.

Why Sunderland Must Aim For Experience In Midfield

Bayer Leverkusen secured his services for £21.4m, which proved to be a masterstroke by then-boss Xabi Alonso. Xhaka was crucial to their historic league triumph and has, so far, featured 99 times in all competitions. According to transfer news specialist Sacha Tavolieri, Saudi outfit NEOM SC has given up on the midfielder. While Fenerbahçe are also in the mix, staying at Bayer is not ruled out either. Napoli expect Anguissa to extend his contract, and the Black Cats, therefore, must step up the chase in search of experience, having missed out on a reunion with Jordan Henderson.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023, in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Regis Le Bris has some exciting young prospects in Daniel Neil and Chris Rigg, yet the Sunderland boss snapped up Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki to bolster the Wearsiders further in the centre of the pitch. However, the newly arrived midfield pair are also in their early 20s, and the Mackems must have someone with ample top-flight experience to boost their survival hopes in the Premier League.

Both Xhaka and Anguissa are lauded for their box-to-box movements, work rate, physicality and technical traits. Their ability to drive the game as deep-lying playmakers would illuminate the Stadium of Light, and it remains to be seen whether they accept the challenge and pursue their unfinished business in England.