Chelsea given final Granit Xhaka transfer ultimatum as Xabi Alonso plots £64m back-up plan
The Sunderland boss has crushed any remaining hope Chelsea had of signing Granit Xhaka, ruling out the possibility of a transfer this summer
Chelsea failed in their pursuit of Granit Xhaka(Image: Daniela Porcelli)
Regis Le Bris has confirmed Granit Xhaka will stay at Sunderland this summer, crushing any remaining hope Chelsea had of wrapping up a deal. The Black Cats captain was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge at the start of the transfer window as Xabi Alonso looked to bolster his options in the middle of the park.
football.london understands the Blues were interested in signing Xhaka, whose contract at the Stadium of Light expires in June 2028. Chelsea had an opening bid of just £8m rejected; Sunderland’s higher-ups were furious with the offer, which they believed was wide of the mark.
The Switzerland international was understood to be open to reuniting with the Blues manager, having previously worked together at Bayer Leverkusen. However, as Chelsea began preparing a new and improved proposal, the Black Cats learned that Xhaka would not try to force an exit.
So, Sunderland stood their ground, and the Blues failed to secure the Swiss’ signature. Speaking to reporters following a 4-2 friendly defeat to Liverpool in pre-season, Le Bris announced that Xhaka, who turns 34 at the end of September, will not leave this summer.
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When quizzed on his skipper’s future, as quoted by ESPN, the Black Cats boss said: “No, this topic is closed. 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. Great leader.”
On the club’s transfer policy this summer, Le Bris added: “It’s going to be quiet. Under the radar, right? I won’t give you information. Because I think we are working hard behind the scenes, and it’s really important to be quiet because otherwise it’s a mess.
“And we are looking at probably a different transfer window if you compare with last season. We had to sign 14 new players. It won’t be the case this year. We’ll see what will happen.”
football.london understands Chelsea have other targets in the centre of midfield, and there is expected to be movement in that department before the transfer window closes at the start of September. In fact, the Blues recently had a £64m bid for Alex Scott rejected by Bournemouth.
Having caught the eye last season, the Cherries midfielder has attracted interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. It’s understood that Bournemouth are insistent that Scott is not for sale this summer.
The 22-year-old midfielder is said to have turned down a contract extension offer from Bournemouth earlier this month. His current deal at the Vitality Stadium expires in June 2028.
Speaking to reporters in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Alonso suggested that there’s still work to be done in the transfer window this summer. The Chelsea manager said: “We need to know that probably there will still be some movements.
“We need to be flexible and quick to act. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built. Probably it will change until the last day of the market being open.”
On whether he has a squad size in mind, Alonso said: “I can’t give you that number. But for sure, we need to have options because you know that we could be unlucky with injuries, so we need to prepare for that.
“We can have different circumstances. We need to manage minutes. We have two cups as well, so we need to fight for them as hard as in the Premier League.
“Once we get the right balance in terms of qualities, personalities, maturity moments, hopefully we are looking at that when we start the first Premier League game in August.”
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