Sunderland has rejected a surprise £8 million bid from Chelsea for midfielder Granit Xhaka, with the club reportedly deeming the offer "insulting" and stating the captain is not for sale at any price. The interest from Chelsea is said to be driven by new manager Xabi Alonso, who previously managed Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen.
The 33-year-old Swiss international joined Sunderland from Leverkusen last summer for a fee that could rise to £17 million. He was appointed captain and played a key role in leading the team to an unexpected seventh-place finish in the league, securing qualification for the Europa League.
Xhaka is currently with Switzerland at the World Cup, where he has played every minute of their campaign so far and scored one goal. Switzerland is scheduled to play Algeria in the round of 32.
Chelsea, under Alonso, is reportedly looking to add experienced players to its young squad. While Xhaka turns 34 in September, Chelsea's offer was believed to be a fair valuation, considering the midfielder's age and potential transfer cost. Xhaka is under contract with Sunderland until 2028.
Despite reports that Xhaka might be open to reuniting with Alonso, the bid's rejection has caused a strong reaction among Sunderland supporters. This comes shortly after Xhaka made an emotional speech to fans at the end of the season, expressing his gratitude and stating, "This is just the beginning and we will want more."
Alonso and Xhaka previously worked together at Bayer Leverkusen, where they contributed to the club winning its first-ever Bundesliga title.