Former AC Milan director admits he wanted Sunderland star Granit Xhaka

Former AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare has admitted he wanted to sign Granit Xhaka before the midfielder joined Sunderland in July 2025.

The 34-year-old Switzerland international was among Milan's midfield targets, with Tare believing his leadership could have helped transform the Italian club's dressing room.

Speaking on Sky Calcio Unplugged, the former director explained why he wanted Xhaka alongside Luka Modrić, who arrived from Real Madrid that summer.

Tare admitted that Milan lacked leadership when he began assessing the squad's requirements.

"At Milan, the feeling I had at the beginning was that leadership was lacking," he explained.

"In addition to Modrić's arrival, Xhaka, the Bayer Leverkusen captain, also needed to arrive to bring these two real players into the team, with important characteristics that could lead a group."

However, Milan failed to complete a deal for the former Arsenal midfielder.

"Xhaka didn't arrive; Luka arrived, who has a different way of being a leader; he's more quiet in his attitude on and off the pitch."

Previous Italian reports suggested Milan were reluctant to spend between €10million and €12million on Xhaka because of his age.

However, Tare did not identify the transfer fee as the decisive reason the proposed move collapsed.

Sunderland subsequently signed Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, bringing the experienced midfielder back to the Premier League.

Manager Régis Le Bris appointed him captain, making his leadership central to the club's plans.

Xhaka had previously helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title in 2024 after spending seven seasons at Arsenal.

His influence at Sunderland extended beyond his experience.

During the 2025-26 campaign, he made 36 appearances across all competitions, contributing one goal and six assists.

The Black Cats finished seventh in the Premier League and qualified for European football.

Tare's comments underline how highly Milan rated the midfielder before Sunderland secured his signature.

However, the former director was discussing an unsuccessful transfer pursuit from 2025 rather than renewed interest in the Switzerland international.