Sunderland’s acquisition of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for £17.3 million has been hailed as a more significant blow to the Bundesliga side than Liverpool’s record-breaking £116 million signing of Florian Wirtz, according to Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick. The 32-year-old Swiss midfielder, who joined the Black Cats in July 2025, was described by Schick as the “biggest loss” for Leverkusen, surpassing the departures of Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah. Schick’s comments to Blick highlighted Xhaka’s irreplaceable leadership and midfield control, which were pivotal in Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023-24. Sunderland’s coup, following their promotion to the Premier League, has sparked excitement among fans as they brace for their top-flight return.
Xhaka, who made 44 appearances for Leverkusen in 2024-25, scoring three goals and providing three assists, was a linchpin in Xabi Alonso’s high-pressing system before Alonso’s move to Real Madrid triggered a mass exodus. His 88.7% pass completion rate and 6.8 ball recoveries per game underscored his dominance, earning him a spot in the 2024 Bundesliga Team of the Season. At Sunderland, Xhaka has already made an impact, starting all three opening matches and anchoring a midfield that secured a 2-1 upset over Tottenham. Manager Regis Le Bris praised Xhaka’s “world-class mentality,” noting his ability to mentor young talents like Chris Rigg. Schick’s assertion that Xhaka’s exit hurt more than Wirtz’s—despite the latter’s 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games—emphasizes the veteran’s unique role in Leverkusen’s success.
Wirtz’s £116 million move to Liverpool, which included £100 million upfront and £16 million in add-ons, broke the British transfer record and marked him as a generational talent. The 22-year-old’s 10 goals and 13 assists in 30 Bundesliga games in 2024-25 showcased his flair as a No. 10, but Schick argued that Leverkusen’s midfield stability, driven by Xhaka, was harder to replace. Leverkusen’s struggles in 2025, finishing third after losing Alonso, Xhaka, Wirtz, and Frimpong, validate Schick’s perspective. Sunderland’s bargain signing of Xhaka, whose £17.3 million fee and £100,000 weekly salary pale in comparison to Wirtz’s cost, has been lauded as a shrewd move, with fans on social media platforms calling it “the steal of the summer.”
For Sunderland, Xhaka’s arrival is a statement of intent as they aim to avoid relegation in 2025-26. His experience—over 300 Premier League appearances with Arsenal and 133 caps for Switzerland—offers stability to a squad blending youth and veterans like Romaine Mundle and Aaron Connolly. While Wirtz dazzles at Liverpool, Xhaka’s understated brilliance at Sunderland could prove Schick right, as the Black Cats leverage his leadership to cement their Premier League status. The contrast between the £116 million superstar and the £17.3 million workhorse highlights football’s complex valuation of impact, with Xhaka’s move potentially shaping Sunderland’s survival bid more than Wirtz’s blockbuster transfer defines Leverkusen’s decline.[](https://tbrfootball.com/sunderland-told-they-have-signed-somebody-more-important-than-116m-man-florian-wirtz/)
