Régis Le Bris has declared Chelsea’s pursuit of Granit Xhaka “closed” and insisted there is no prospect of Sunderland selling their influential captain this summer.
Xhaka played a major role in Sunderland qualifying for the Europa League on their return to the Premier League last season, prompting Chelsea to make an £8m bid for the 33-year-old this month. Xabi Alonso, the new Chelsea manager, is keen to be reunited with his former midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen.
