Chelsea have moved swiftly into the transfer market to pursue Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka, a player the club believes can fortify their midfield and potentially reunite him with former manager Xabi Alonso. The Blues’ interest has been confirmed across multiple outlets, with reports suggesting a deal is being explored despite Sunderland’s insistence that the experienced midfielder is not for sale. The timing—amid a congested transfer window and Chelsea’s own financial constraints—makes this a high-stakes gamble.
The Alonso connection
Xhaka’s link to Alonso is more than just a managerial footnote. The pair worked together at Bayer Leverkusen, where Alonso’s structured, possession-heavy system allowed Xhaka to dictate play in deeper roles. Alonso’s influence on Xhaka’s game was clear: the Swiss international thrived in a system that demanded technical security, positional discipline, and progressive passing—qualities Alonso values above all else. Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka, who was a key player for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen
That partnership ended when Alonso left Leverkusen for Real Madrid, but Xhaka’s reputation as a metronome in midfield has endured. Chelsea, under new sporting director Ashley Cole, appear willing to back a move that blends ambition with pragmatism. The question is whether Xhaka’s profile fits Mauricio Pochettino’s vision—or if this is a short-term fix in a transfer market where Chelsea cannot afford to overpay.
Sunderland’s stance and the contract reality
Sunderland have publicly pushed back on the notion that Xhaka is available. The club’s statement that the midfielder is “not for sale” is standard practice, but the context matters. Xhaka’s contract at the Stadium of Light runs until 2028, yet Sunderland are acutely aware of the financial realities of Premier League survival. Promotion to the top flight last season brought new revenue streams, but the club’s ambitions remain tempered by the demands of competing in a league where wages and transfer fees have spiralled. Sunderland say experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka is not for sale amid reports Chelsea have entered talks over a move
The club’s Europa League qualification adds another layer of complexity. While Xhaka has been instrumental in their midfield, European football demands squad depth. If Chelsea can meet Sunderland’s valuation—reportedly in the region of £30-40m—then the Black Cats may have little choice but to sanction a move. The alternative—holding onto a player whose contract expires in two years—risks losing him for nothing next summer. That would leave Sunderland with a midfield void and no return on investment.
Chelsea’s midfield roulette
For Chelsea, this pursuit is symptomatic of a broader identity crisis. The club’s midfield has been a revolving door since the Todd Boehly era began, with players arriving and departing in quick succession. The Blues have tried to balance financial fair play constraints with the need to compete domestically and in Europe, but the results have been mixed. Signing a player of Xhaka’s experience—even at a premium—could provide stability in a department that has lacked it. Chelsea are exploring a deal to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, sources have told ESPN
Yet the risk is clear. Xhaka will turn 34 in September, and while his fitness record is strong, his age raises questions about his long-term suitability. Chelsea’s recent transfer strategy has favoured younger, higher-upside players—see Elliot Anderson’s £116m move to Manchester City—as part of a long-term rebuild. Xhaka, by contrast, is a proven commodity but one whose best years may already be behind him. The Blues must decide whether he is a bridge to a new era or a stopgap that could stifle the development of academy talents like Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher.
The financial tightrope
Chelsea’s financial situation remains precarious. The club’s transfer activity has been constrained by FFP rules, and while they have shown willingness to spend when necessary, the market for experienced midfielders is unforgiving. Xhaka’s potential arrival would likely require a significant outlay, and the Blues would need to balance that against their need to strengthen other areas—most notably defence, where Como’s reported interest in Trevoh Chalobah suggests Chelsea are open to parting ways with another first-team player. Chelsea are handed a bid from Como for defender Trevoh Chalobah
The transfer dynamics are further complicated by the fact that Chelsea’s wage structure is under scrutiny. The club’s hierarchy has repeatedly stated their commitment to sustainable spending, but the lure of a player like Xhaka—who commands a high salary but brings immediate experience—could test that resolve. If Chelsea do pursue this deal, they will need to ensure it does not derail their broader financial planning, particularly as they aim to compete on multiple fronts next season.
What it means
This pursuit is less about revolution and more about evolution. Chelsea are not rebuilding from scratch; they are trying to steady a ship that has been rocked by inconsistent performances and off-field turbulence. Xhaka’s arrival would provide a dose of pragmatism in midfield, a department that has lacked the steel to grind out results in tight games. His partnership with Enzo Fernández or Moisés Caicedo could offer the balance Pochettino craves, particularly in Europe, where Chelsea’s campaign will hinge on their ability to control games in midfield.
Yet the Alonso connection is the real X-factor. If Xhaka can replicate the form he showed under Alonso at Leverkusen, Chelsea could benefit from a system that prioritises possession and control. That would align with Pochettino’s preference for structured, organised football—a stark contrast to the chaos that has often defined Chelsea’s play under previous managers. The risk, of course, is that Xhaka is a square peg in a round hole; his style is more suited to a possession-based system than the transitional football Pochettino has employed in spells at Tottenham and PSG.
For Sunderland, the stakes are equally high. The club’s financial model relies on smart transfers and astute recruitment. Letting Xhaka go now, even for a fee, would be a gamble on their ability to replace him without disrupting their balance. The Europa League presents an opportunity to grow, but it also demands squad depth. If Xhaka leaves, Sunderland will need to identify a successor quickly—a challenge in a market where midfielders of his calibre are scarce.
What's next
The coming days will be decisive. Chelsea’s next move will likely come in the form of a formal bid, though Sunderland’s public stance suggests they are not ready to capitulate immediately. Negotiations could drag on, particularly if the two clubs are far apart on valuation. Xhaka’s own position is also a factor; while he has been a key player for Sunderland, his contract situation means he could be lured by the prospect of a move to a bigger club.
If the deal collapses, Chelsea will need to pivot quickly. Their options would narrow to younger midfielders or players who fit Pochettino’s system more closely. The Blues may also look at loan deals or short-term solutions to bridge the gap, though such moves rarely address the underlying issues in midfield.
For Sunderland, the focus will shift to squad reinforcement. The club’s Europa League campaign means they cannot afford to stand still, but their financial constraints will limit their options. A pragmatic approach—perhaps targeting a younger midfielder with resale value—could be the most viable path.
One thing is certain: the race for Xhaka is far from over. Chelsea’s interest has been confirmed, Sunderland’s resistance is expected, and the midfielder’s future will hang in the balance until a deal is done—or until the window closes.
Sources
[1] Chelsea exploring deal for Granit Xhaka — ESPN https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49199142/chelsea-exploring-deal-sign-sunderland-granit-xhaka-sources
[2] Chelsea interested in Granit Xhaka to reunite midfielder with Xabi Alonso — The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/27/chelsea-granit-xhaka-xabi-alonso-sunderland-trevoh-chalobah-como
[3] Como bid for Chelsea's Chalobah - Sunday's gossip — BBC Sport https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp364e4n1y5o
[4] Chelsea in talks to sign Sunderland's Xhaka — BBC Sport https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9d299g6wq6o
