Chelsea has entered into discussions with the representatives of Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka regarding a potential transfer, according to reports. However, Sunderland has stated that the experienced player is not for sale. Xhaka, 33, is under contract with Sunderland until 2028 and played a significant role in the team's qualification for European competition last season.
Sources close to the player indicate that contact has been made with Stamford Bridge. Xhaka is reportedly open to reuniting with former manager Xabi Alonso, with whom he won the Bundesliga title at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024. Personal terms have not yet been agreed upon with Chelsea.
Sunderland qualified for the Europa League ahead of Chelsea on the final day of the previous season and is reportedly not under financial pressure to sell key players. Club sources indicate no intention to allow Xhaka to leave. The midfielder, currently with Switzerland at the World Cup, missed only four league games for Sunderland and received praise for his captaincy in leading the team to a seventh-place finish.
A move for Xhaka would represent a notable shift in Chelsea's transfer strategy. The club has fielded one of the youngest teams in the Premier League over the past two seasons and has not selected a player aged 30 or over during that period. Club leadership, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, has acknowledged the need for adjustments to improve recruitment. Criticisms have focused on a perceived lack of leadership and dressing-room culture, areas where Xhaka has reportedly been praised for his influence at Sunderland.
The pursuit of a midfielder has been a long-standing objective for Chelsea this summer, particularly amid growing speculation that Enzo Fernandez could be a target for Real Madrid. While Chelsea has not received a formal offer for Fernandez, sources in Spain suggest that a move could have internal support at Real Madrid, including from club president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho. Chelsea values Fernandez at approximately £120 million.
In other transfer news, Chelsea is also expected to sign Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra. Several players, including Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Tosin Adarabioyo, face uncertain futures at the club. Defender Marc Cucurella has already transferred to Real Madrid.