Xhaka Could Welcome Sunderland’s Pursuit of £42 Million Midfield Star Khephren Thuram
Sunderland supporters have every reason to be delighted after the club successfully retained Granit Xhaka despite growing interest from Chelsea. The experienced Swiss midfielder played a pivotal role during his first season at the Stadium of Light, helping Régis Le Bris’ side exceed expectations by securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Had Xhaka departed after just one campaign, his spell on Wearside would have been remembered as a brief but memorable chapter. Instead, his decision to remain gives Sunderland an invaluable leader as they prepare for another demanding Premier League season.
Sunderland Determined to Build on Last Season’s Success
Xhaka’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen last summer proved to be one of the club’s smartest pieces of business. His leadership, composure, work ethic, and wealth of experience transformed Sunderland’s midfield and quickly made him one of the fan favourites. Throughout the campaign, his tireless performances enabled the Black Cats to compete well above expectations against some of England’s strongest clubs.
Keeping hold of such an influential player is viewed as a major statement of intent from Sunderland. However, club officials also understand that maintaining last season’s momentum will require further strengthening of the squad. Second-season syndrome has affected many promoted clubs in recent years, and Sunderland are determined to avoid that fate by continuing to invest in top-quality talent.
Sunderland Join the Race for Juventus Midfielder Khephren Thuram
According to reports emerging from Italy, Sunderland are among several Premier League clubs monitoring Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram. Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and other English sides are also believed to be interested in the French international, while Juventus are reportedly willing to consider offers in the region of £42 million.
Interested clubs have already made enquiries regarding Thuram’s availability and the financial package required to convince Juventus to sell. Should Sunderland complete the transfer, it would comfortably become the most expensive signing in the club’s history, surpassing the £27 million they invested in Habib Diarra last summer.
Although such a fee represents a significant financial commitment, Sunderland may view it as a worthwhile investment if they hope to remain competitive both domestically and in European competition.
A Midfield Partnership That Could Elevate Sunderland
One of the most exciting aspects of a potential move would be the opportunity to pair Thuram alongside Granit Xhaka in central midfield. Their contrasting yet complementary qualities could give Sunderland one of the Premier League’s most balanced midfield pairings.
Xhaka’s experience, tactical intelligence, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches would blend well with Thuram’s athleticism, physicality, and ball-carrying ability. Together, they could provide both defensive stability and attacking support, creating a midfield capable of competing against the league’s strongest opponents.
Xhaka’s Outstanding Debut Season
Many Sunderland supporters considered Granit Xhaka their Player of the Season after an exceptional first year at the club. Signed for approximately £13 million, he proved to be one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.
Throughout the Premier League campaign, Xhaka consistently demonstrated the qualities that once made him a standout performer for Arsenal. He averaged 4.6 successful duels per match, highlighting his competitiveness and determination in midfield.
His contributions were not limited to defensive work. The Swiss international also registered one goal and six assists, regularly influencing Sunderland’s attacking play with accurate passing and intelligent decision-making. As captain, he led by example and rarely delivered anything below a high standard.
Thuram Possesses Similar Attributes
Khephren Thuram shares many of the characteristics that have made Xhaka so influential for Sunderland. During the 2025/26 Serie A season with Juventus, Thuram made 35 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
Statistically, both midfielders compare favourably. Xhaka recorded seven direct goal contributions compared to Thuram’s six, while both consistently demonstrated excellent technical ability and composure in possession.
Thuram maintained an impressive 87% pass completion rate, slightly higher than Xhaka’s already strong 84%. He also averaged 3.8 successful duels per game, underlining his ability to compete physically in midfield while retaining control of the ball under pressure.
These numbers suggest that Thuram would not only fit Sunderland’s style of play but also complement Xhaka’s strengths rather than duplicate them.
A Midfielder Known for Energy and Dominance
Thuram has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most dynamic midfielders. During his time at Nice, respected football scout Jacek Kulig famously described him as a “one-man army,” praising his ability to cover large areas of the pitch, recover possession, drive the ball forward, and influence matches at both ends of the field.
His athleticism, work rate, and versatility have continued to develop since joining Juventus, making him an attractive target for several Premier League clubs.
A Costly Investment That Could Be Worthwhile
Although signing Thuram would require Sunderland to break their transfer record, the club’s recent recruitment strategy has largely delivered positive results. The investments made during the previous transfer window helped transform Sunderland into a Europa League-qualified side, demonstrating that ambitious spending can yield significant rewards when directed wisely.
If Sunderland are serious about establishing themselves as a consistent force in the Premier League while competing in Europe, acquiring a player of Thuram’s calibre could represent another major step forward.
Just as importantly, strengthening the squad with elite talent may also reinforce Granit Xhaka’s belief in the club’s long-term project. Pairing the experienced Swiss leader with one of Europe’s most promising midfielders could provide Sunderland with the platform needed to sustain their remarkable progress and avoid the challenges that often accompany a club’s second season in the top flight.
