Transfers
£8m Chelsea bid rejected as Sunderland stand firm on Xhaka
Chelsea’s opening £8million bid for Granit Xhaka has been immediately rejected by Sunderland, who are under no pressure to sell their Switzerland captain. The bid was described as “unacceptable” by Sunderland, who have no intention of entertaining a sale despite the player’s World Cup status.
Xhaka, speaking during the tournament, shut down transfer speculation by stating, “That’s not my job [to talk about a potential move to Chelsea].” He added, “I have my management for that. I want to concentrate fully on the World Cup.” Switzerland progressed to the next round with a 2-0 win over Algeria, where Xhaka played the full 90 minutes.
Chelsea’s interest is driven by Xabi Alonso, who coached Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen during their unbeaten 2024 Bundesliga title campaign. Alonso’s familiarity with the midfielder is a key factor in Chelsea’s pursuit. Sunderland, however, view Xhaka as irreplaceable after he played 34 league games last season, helping the club finish seventh and secure European football.
The valuation gap is stark. Sunderland’s stance suggests they see Xhaka’s leadership and experience as non-negotiable, especially at a club still establishing itself in the top flight. A 33-year-old midfielder with tactical discipline and personality is not easily replaced, regardless of transfer market trends.
Chelsea’s midfield recruitment may yet shift, with talkSPORT reporting that Alex Scott and Adam Wharton are also admired. Scott’s potential involvement could introduce a youth element, while Wharton offers a different profile. Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly keen on Scott, which may complicate Chelsea’s plans.
The presence of Enzo Fernández further complicates Chelsea’s midfield picture. Reports suggest a new signing could facilitate his desired move to Real Madrid, though the Spanish club has stated they have “no intention” of signing the Argentine. This may force Chelsea to reassess their recruitment urgency and strategy.
For now, the facts remain clear: Chelsea are interested, Sunderland are resisting, and Xhaka is focused on Switzerland’s World Cup campaign. The negotiation will hinge on leverage, patience, and Sunderland’s valuation of their captain.