Chelsea are reportedly showing interest in acquiring Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, with new manager Xabi Alonso said to be keen on a reunion. Xhaka previously played under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, where they achieved success in the Bundesliga.
While interest from Chelsea has emerged, Sunderland has not received any official club-to-club contact and would not welcome offers for the midfielder, stating he is not for sale. Xhaka is considered one of several midfield options Chelsea is exploring, as the club aims to bring in experienced players with a proven track record in the Premier League.
According to reports, a ‘full verbal agreement’ has been reached between Xhaka and Chelsea regarding personal terms for a transfer to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is also reportedly in contact with Sunderland regarding the move. Journalist Luca Cerchione indicated that Alonso has made an ‘express request’ for Xhaka, with an initial offer of 30 million euros from Chelsea.
Xhaka’s Impact and Experience
Xhaka, who will turn 34 in September, was a key figure for Sunderland last season. He made 34 appearances in the league, scoring once and providing six assists. His contributions were vital in helping Sunderland not only maintain their Premier League status but also secure qualification for the Europa League.
Sunderland signed Xhaka for £13m from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. Before his move to Germany, he spent seven seasons at Arsenal, making 297 appearances and scoring 23 goals. He left Leverkusen after playing 99 times and winning the Bundesliga under Alonso.
The midfielder had expressed interest in returning to London at the time of his move to Germany, with West Ham being a potential option, though he ultimately decided against pursuing it then. His experience and leadership qualities are believed to be attractive to Chelsea, particularly given the club’s desire for seasoned players.
Alonso’s influence in transfer decisions appears significant, as he has been appointed Chelsea manager rather than head coach, granting him more control over signings. His push to sign Xhaka, who shone under him at Leverkusen, is seen as evidence of this influence. Xhaka himself has spoken about Alonso’s coaching style, highlighting his focus on merit and giving every player a chance to prove their importance to the team.
Other Transfer Activities
In addition to the interest in Xhaka, Chelsea has been active in other areas of the transfer market. Marco Palestra, a 21-year-old right-sided defender from Atalanta, underwent his medical on Friday and is set to join Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £43m. Palestra’s arrival marks Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea manager.
Chelsea has also made an enquiry about signing Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, as Alonso is looking to strengthen the central defence this summer. Lacroix is one of several targets identified for this position. Meanwhile, Italian side Como has shown strong interest in signing Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, though a deal is considered challenging for Como to complete, with other clubs also reportedly interested.
The club’s average squad age is 23.8, and the potential addition of Xhaka, who turns 34 in September, aligns with the strategy of integrating experienced players. Sunderland’s strong stance on not selling Xhaka indicates that any potential transfer would require significant negotiation.
Xhaka’s role in securing European football for Sunderland by defeating Chelsea on the final day of the season underscores his recent impact.
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Source: skysports.com
