Chelsea reignites Granit Xhaka pursuit under Xabi Alonso

The Spanish coach is pushing to reunite with his former player, but Sunderland sets its terms.

Transfers 29 June 2026 at 03:12

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Chelsea reignites Granit Xhaka pursuit under Xabi Alonso

Chelsea is keeping a close eye on Granit Xhaka ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. According to several sources, the Swiss midfielder is among the profiles being considered by the London club’s management, with the backing of Xabi Alonso, now manager of the Blues.

The Spaniard, who previously worked with Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen, is said to be a driving force behind the move and is eager to bring the player to Stamford Bridge. The coach especially values Xhaka’s leadership and experience, qualities deemed essential to stabilizing Chelsea’s midfield.

🚨🛜 New talks between Chelsea and Sunderland over Granit Xhaka are scheduled for Monday. Senior executives from both clubs remain in direct contact.

⚠️ The deal remains difficult, but is not off at this stage. Xhaka’s position is clear: he wants to join Chelsea and work under… pic.twitter.com/QVSfThslS0
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 28, 2026

The English club is indeed looking to lighten the workload of its key midfielders and strengthen the defensive stability of its squad. In this context, Xhaka stands out as a serious option, even if he is not the only target under consideration. Currently under contract with Sunderland until 2028, the 32-year-old is a key figure for his team. The English club is reportedly demanding around €20 million to consider his departure, which could complicate negotiations.