Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the signing of Granit Xhaka from Sunderland, with the midfielder said to have agreed personal terms over a move to Stamford Bridge according to reports in Germany
Bobby Vincent Senior Chelsea reporter and Bruna Reis
20:15, 27 Jun 2026
Chelsea is reportedly eager to sign Granit Xhaka
Chelsea is reportedly eager to sign Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka has reportedly struck a full agreement with Chelsea over a summer transfer, potentially setting the stage for a reunion with Xabi Alonso. According to reports emerging from Germany, the west London club are believed to have settled personal terms with the midfielder.
Sky Sport Germany and Swiss outlet Blick have reported that the midfielder has verbally committed to a switch to Stamford Bridge. However, Football London understands that no contact has taken place between Chelsea and Sunderland, while Sky Sports News reports that Sunderland have no intention of entertaining offers for their captain. Alonso, who was heavily linked with Liverpool before joining the Blues, has also reportedly had a plan to sign Dusan Vlahovic approved.
The midfielder is believed to have been specifically requested by Alonso, following the pair's successful spell together at Bayer Leverkusen between 2023 and 2025. Xhaka spent two seasons under Alonso's stewardship, a period during which the club claimed the Bundesliga title unbeaten throughout the entire league campaign, lifted the DFB-Pokal, and reached the Europa League final.
The former Arsenal man, 33, has continued to catch the eye since returning to the Premier League with Sunderland. Xhaka made 34 top-flight appearances during their first season back in the top division, playing a key role in helping the newly-promoted outfit secure an impressive seventh-place finish.
Named captain last season, he continues to be integral to the club's ambitions and Sunderland have neither the intention nor necessity to entertain a transfer. Xhaka put pen to paper on a lengthy deal running until 2028 when he joined the Wearsiders last summer and swiftly emerged as a galvanising presence at the Stadium of Light, establishing benchmarks through his displays and offering guidance away from the pitch.
His significance to Regis Le Bris' squad became evident when results suffered during his spell on the sidelines through injury. This season, he has been virtually an ever-present fixture, appearing in 32 Premier League fixtures throughout an impressive 2025/26 campaign.
Xabi Alonso is getting down to business as Chelsea head coach
Xabi Alonso is getting down to business as Chelsea head coach(Image: Getty Images)
Considering his impact and the quality of football he continues to deliver, it appears extremely improbable that Sunderland would entertain his departure after merely 12 months.
Xhaka, for his part, regards Alonso with considerable respect, having established himself as a pivotal player under his management during their shared spell in the Bundesliga.
"He is not a coach that is looking out for the names or status of players, in terms of who is older or younger, or who has played more games," Xhaka previously said.
"During the week, he is thinking about who deserves to play at the weekend because they are training well. He gives every player the chance to prove their importance to the team.
"I think to manage this is so difficult because you have different types of characters and nationalities, different languages.
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"But he has this experience as a player to give confidence to everyone. That's why we performed like this as well."
Whether the former Arsenal stalwart, who spent seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium, will finalise a switch across London to join their blue rivals remains to be seen.
Xhaka is presently occupied with World Cup commitments alongside Switzerland, who have topped their group and secured their place in the round of 32.