Granit Xhaka Agrees Chelsea Terms, Sunderland Face Challenge

Granit Xhaka has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, a move that could significantly impact Sunderland's long-term progress.

The 33-year-old midfielder's potential exit has raised concerns about Sunderland's ability to replicate their successful first season after promotion.

Sunderland shocked the Premier League by qualifying for the Europa League, ending a 42-year wait for a return to the European stage.

Keith Wyness, former Everton chief executive, believes that losing Xhaka could hamper Sunderland's progress, and they must find a way to mitigate his potential exit.

Wyness stressed that Sunderland's culture is okay, but they will be aware that it's not going to be easy to replicate their first season.

Sunderland are set to face Liverpool, Leeds, and Wrexham as part of their summer preparation in the USA, a tour that could provide huge long-term benefits in terms of sponsorship opportunities.

The Black Cats are working on the principle of "no limits but no targets," according to Wyness, who believes that this approach could help them achieve their goal of playing in the Champions League.

Sunderland's director of football, Florent Ghisolfi, recently revealed that the club has their eyes on playing in the Champions League in the near future.

The club's hierarchy has arranged a lucrative pre-season tour, which is expected to generate around £2.5million, according to Wyness.

This windfall could provide a significant boost to the club's finances, allowing them to invest in their squad and improve their chances of achieving their goals.

Wyness praised the Sunderland hierarchy for arranging the tour, which could do wonders for their international exposure.

The Black Cats will be keen to ensure that their European adventure becomes a regular thing, and they will be working hard to achieve this goal.

Xhaka's potential exit could be a significant blow to the club, but they will be looking to find a way to mitigate his loss and continue their progress.

The situation is complex, and Sunderland will need to navigate it carefully to achieve their goals.

And with the new season approaching, the Black Cats will be looking to build on their successful first season and take the next step towards achieving their ambitions.

But for now, the focus is on the potential exit of Xhaka, and how the club will respond to this challenge.

So the coming weeks will be crucial for Sunderland as they look to shape their squad for the new season.