Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has firmly stated that captain Granit Xhaka is not for sale, dismissing any possibility of a transfer to Chelsea. Le Bris emphasized that the topic is closed and that Xhaka is committed to staying with the club.
"No, this topic is closed," Le Bris said when asked about Xhaka's future. "He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland. He wants to make the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain. A great leader."
Chelsea had reportedly made an £8 million bid for the Swiss international, which was rejected as insulting. Xhaka, who played under new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, was reportedly attracted to the prospect of reuniting with his former coach. However, Xhaka has reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland following discussions with the club, citing his strong rapport with the supporters and his connection to the club as key factors in his decision.
Last season, Xhaka was instrumental in Sunderland's return to the Premier League, helping them secure a position in the European spots. This successful season has attracted attention from other clubs, but Sunderland appears determined to retain their key players.
Le Bris also addressed the club's transfer strategy for the current window. He indicated that the approach will be different from last year, when Sunderland signed 14 new players following their promotion from the Championship. So far, the club has made only one signing: experienced full-back Thomas Meunier, who joined on a free transfer from Lille. Le Bris advised fans to be patient, stating that the club is working hard behind the scenes on transfers in a quieter, more discreet manner.
"It’s going to be quiet. Under the radar, right? Because I think we are working hard behind the scenes, and it's really important to be quiet because otherwise, it's a mess," Le Bris explained. "And we are looking at probably a different transfer window if you compare with last season. We had to sign 14 new players. That won't be the case this year. We'll see what will happen."