Chelsea assess – Chelsea are assessing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka as Xabi Alonso looks to bring Premier League experience, while Sunderland insist the player is not for sale and report no club-to-club contact.
Chelsea’s summer plans have a new name in them: Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The interest is there, but the message from Sunderland is firm. The Championship club say there has been no club-to-club contact, and they would not welcome any offers because Xhaka is not for sale. The Swiss international is still under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2028.
For Chelsea, the appeal is clear. They are looking at midfield options. and Xhaka is viewed as someone with “proven Premier League experience” to match the direction they want. There’s also the pull of familiarity: Xhaka played for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. and he is understood to be keen on linking up with his former boss again. joining what he sees as a new project.
His age is part of the calculation. Xhaka, who played for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023, turns 34 in September. Chelsea are not expected to want to pay too much for a player at that stage of his career. Sunderland signed him for £13 million last summer. and last season’s Premier League return saw him become a hit at the Stadium of Light. playing a key part in keeping the club in the division.
Around Chelsea, the buzz has spread beyond the club’s internal shortlist. Cole Palmer, described as a star for the club, ‘liked’ an Instagram post on Saturday evening that revealed the news of Chelsea’s interest in Xhaka.
The domino effect is already visible across the wider Chelsea squad picture. Marco Palestra is having his medical today ahead of his £50 million move from Atalanta. Meanwhile. Chelsea are maintaining contact over Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. as Como and Inter Milan remain interested in Trevoh Chalobah.
That Chalobah situation is where the numbers sharpen. Chelsea want around £35 million for the 26-year-old England centre back. Como had offered £22 million, and that bid was dismissed.
With Sunderland publicly insisting there is no contact and no offers welcomed. Chelsea’s interest still sits in the “assessment” phase. But the combination of Premier League experience. a prior working relationship with Alonso. and Xhaka’s apparent desire to be part of a new project makes it a name that won’t fade quickly from the conversation.
Chelsea Sunderland Granit Xhaka Xabi Alonso Premier League Cole Palmer Marco Palestra Trevoh Chalobah Maxence Lacroix transfer news