Granit Xhaka has reportedly agreed to join Chelsea this summer, though the Wearside club insist they are not entertaining offers for their captain…
Granit Xhaka has reportedly reached a full agreement with Chelsea over a summer transfer, potentially paving the way for a reunion with Xabi Alonso. According to reports emerging from Germany, the west London club are believed to have agreed personal terms with the midfielder.
Sky Sport Germany and Swiss outlet Blick have reported that the midfielder has verbally committed to a move to Stamford Bridge. However, Chronicle Live understands that no contact has taken place between Chelsea and Sunderland, while Sky Sports News reports that the Black Cats have no intention of entertaining offers for their captain.
The midfielder is believed to have been specifically requested by Alonso, following the pair’s time together at Bayer Leverkusen between 2023 and 2025. Xhaka spent two seasons under Alonso’s guidance, a period during which the club claimed the Bundesliga title without suffering a single league defeat, won the DFB-Pokal, and reached the Europa League final.
The former Arsenal star, 33, has continued to catch the eye since returning to the Premier League with Sunderland. Xhaka made 34 top-flight appearances during their first season back in the top flight, helping the newly-promoted side to an impressive seventh-place finish.
Named captain last season, Xhaka remains integral to Sunderland’s plans and the club has no inclination nor necessity to entertain offers for his services. The midfielder penned a long-term deal until 2028 when he arrived at the Stadium of Light last summer, swiftly establishing himself as a driving force on Wearside, setting the standard with his displays and offering leadership away from the pitch.
His significance to Regis Le Bris’ side was evident when results suffered during his spell on the sidelines. Last season he was a near ever-present figure, appearing in 32 Premier League matches throughout a impressive 2025/26 campaign.
Given his impact and the quality of football he continues to produce, it appears highly unlikely that Sunderland would contemplate allowing him to depart after just a single year.
Xhaka, meanwhile, holds Alonso in the highest esteem, having flourished under his management during their time together in the Bundesliga.
“He is not a coach that is looking out for the names or status of players, in terms of who is older or younger, or who has played more games,” Xhaka previously said. “During the week, he is thinking about who deserves to play at the weekend because they are training well.
“He gives every player the chance to prove their importance to the team. I think to manage this is so difficult because you have different types of characters and nationalities, different languages. But he has this experience as a player to give confidence to everyone. That’s why we performed like this as well.”
Whether the former Arsenal stalwart, who spent seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium, will finalise a switch across London to join their rivals in blue remains to be seen.
Xhaka is presently on World Cup duty with Switzerland, who have topped their group and secured their place in the round of 32.
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