Sunderland have made it clear Granit Xhaka is not available for transfer, having turned down an £8m approach from Chelsea.
The 33-year-old Switzerland international, tied to a deal through 2028, was pivotal in Sunderland’s push into Europe last season after his £17m switch from Bayer Leverkusen. While Xhaka is understood to be receptive to working again with former boss Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, with whom he won the Bundesliga at Leverkusen in 2024, no agreement on personal terms has been reached.
Sunderland, who sealed Europa League qualification on the final day at Chelsea’s expense, are under no financial pressure to sell and sources insist they have no plans to part with their captain.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder—currently with Switzerland at the World Cup—missed only four league matches and drew widespread praise as he led Regis Le Bris’ side to seventh place.
Any successful Chelsea move for Xhaka would mark a sharp departure from their recent strategy. After fielding the Premier League’s youngest side in each of the past two seasons, they have not used a player aged 30 or over in that period, and Xhaka turns 34 in September. Club figures, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, accept the need to refine their recruitment, amid criticism over leadership and dressing-room culture—areas in which Xhaka was credited with setting high standards at newly-promoted Sunderland.
Chelsea have long targeted a midfielder this summer, with growing speculation that Enzo Fernandez could head to Real Madrid. While no formal bid has arrived for the Argentina international—valued by Chelsea at about £120m—reports in Spain indicate backing at Madrid for a move, including from president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea are also closing in on Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, and several players—among them Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo—face uncertain futures. Defender Marc Cucurella has already completed a switch to Real Madrid.