Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka, who was a key player for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka, who has two years on his deal, joined Sunderland last summer and played a major role in them qualifying for the Europa League after their promotion to the Premier League.
Alonso is keen to add experience to Chelsea’s squad and has identified the Switzerland midfielder as a player of interest. Xhaka remains close with Alonso, who led Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024.
Sunderland are determined not to sell and are expected to fight to hold on to him. Chelsea are unlikely to be willing to pay a high fee for a player who turns 34 in September.
It is likely to be another busy summer at Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella has been sold to Real Madrid, who could also try to sign the Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández. Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign the Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra and are fielding interest in Trevoh Chalobah from Como.
Chalobah, who is part of England’s World Cup squad, is valued at £30m plus £5m in add-ons. Chelsea are one of the clubs monitoring the West Ham wingers Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
