Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Sunderland ace Granit Xhaka as the Blues plot a route back into the Champions League next season. Having started the season strongly, Chelsea’s campaign fell off a cliff when Enzo Maresca left at the start of 2026, and even though the two-time European champions reached the FA Cup final, they finished the season in ninth.
Chelsea had entered the final day of the season with a chance to secure a European spot at least, but a defeat to Sunderland saw them slip out of the continental positions altogether. And one of their first moves under new boss Xabi Alonso is to raid a player who was instrumental in dragging the Black Cats to the Europa League last season.
Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025, with the North East outfit originally bringing him in to help add some much-needed experience after gaining promotion. Few could’ve predicted the rollercoaster ride Sunderland went on last season, with Xhaka one of the key contributors.
However, it doesn’t look as if he will get the chance to feature for Sunderland in Europe, given the Swiss midfielder is reportedly Chelsea-bound. That’s according to Sky Germany, who claim Chelsea have reached a full verbal agreement with Xhaka, and a deal is expected to follow.
While it feels like an unconventional move on the surface, there might be method in the madness. Chelsea boast one of the youngest squads in the division - something Xhaka helped nurture during his time with Leverkusen.
Speaking in 2023, he remarked: "Bayer 04 signed me to stabilise this young team. I’ll try and do that on every level, also mentally. I don’t want to play dad or the boss. But everyone must be clear that you have to work hard to be successful.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s new boss had this to say about Xhaka, who will turn 34 in September, while he was Leverkusen manager: "Granit is a real fighter, he showed the big heart he has. He continued to play in a very disciplined and focused manner. He is an aggressive leader and constantly pushes the limits."
Xhaka is under contract at Sunderland until 2028 and will almost certainly command a decent fee. Chelsea will return to pre-season next month before starting their Premier League campaign on August 24.