Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka linked with Chelsea move

By Sanjay Menon — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, potentially reuniting him with new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. While Chelsea are exploring midfield options, Sunderland has indicated that the player is not for sale, and no club-to-club contact has been made regarding a transfer.

Xhaka, who will turn 34 in September, is considered by Chelsea as an experienced player with proven Premier League experience. Sunderland signed the midfielder for £13m from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. He played a crucial role in helping Sunderland not only remain in the Premier League but also secure qualification for the Europa League.

During the last season, Xhaka made 34 appearances in the league, scoring once and providing six assists. His contributions were instrumental in Regis Le Bris’ side finishing seventh in the Premier League. Before his move to Germany, Xhaka spent seven seasons at Arsenal, where he made 297 appearances and scored 23 goals.

Potential Reunion with Xabi Alonso

The prospect of Xhaka reuniting with Xabi Alonso at Chelsea is a significant aspect of the transfer speculation. The two previously worked together at Bayer Leverkusen, where Xhaka was a pivotal player in Alonso’s side. Under Alonso’s management, Leverkusen went 51 games unbeaten and won the German league and cup double in 2024. Xhaka left Leverkusen after playing 99 times for the club.

Xhaka has reportedly expressed openness to a reunion with his former manager. During their time at Leverkusen, Xhaka praised Alonso’s coaching style, noting his ability to give every player a chance to prove their importance. He highlighted Alonso’s experience as a player in instilling confidence across a diverse squad, which he believed contributed to their strong performance.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris also acknowledged Xhaka’s significant impact on his team last season. Le Bris described Xhaka as a demanding player who elevates the standards for both his teammates and the coaching staff. He considered it a privilege to manage a player of Xhaka’s calibre, noting his emotional and intense personality.

Sunderland’s Stance and Chelsea’s Transfer Policy

Sunderland’s position is clear: they do not welcome any offers for Xhaka, and he is not for sale. The club is in a strong negotiating position as Xhaka still has two years remaining on his contract, which runs until 2028. Sunderland also has no financial pressure to sell key players, especially after qualifying for the Europa League at Chelsea’s expense on the final day of last season.

For Chelsea, pursuing Xhaka would represent a notable shift in their recent transfer policy. The club has fielded the youngest team in the Premier League for the past two seasons and has not selected a player aged 30 or over during that period. Xhaka will turn 34 in September, indicating a potential adjustment in recruitment strategy to bring in more experienced players.

Members of Chelsea’s leadership, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, recognise the need for adjustments to improve their recruitment. This includes addressing concerns about a perceived lack of leadership and issues with dressing-room culture, areas where Xhaka received widespread praise for his contributions at Sunderland. A move for a midfielder has been part of Chelsea’s summer plans, particularly amid growing expectations that Enzo Fernandez could potentially join Real Madrid, though Chelsea values him at around £120m and has not received a formal approach.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is also on the verge of completing other transfer activities. 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 worth £43m. Palestra arrived in London from Rome on Thursday night to finalise the move and is expected to be Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea manager. Additionally, Chelsea has enquired about signing Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, as Alonso is looking for a new centre-back this summer. Italian side Como is also reportedly interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, though a deal appears difficult to achieve.

Xhaka is currently with Switzerland at the World Cup.

Source: skysports.com