FOOTBALL
Posted on June 29, 2026 6:00 pm | Updated on June 29, 2026 3:19 pm Chelsea push to sign Sunderland’s Xhaka in bold summer move.
CHELSEA
Chelsea is one of England’s premier football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. Known for its strong squad, tactical versatility, and competitive history, Chelsea has won multiple league titles, domestic cups,… Read More about CHELSEA
Chelsea want to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka this summer, and the latest transfer news suggests Xabi Alonso is pushing hard to reunite with his former player at Stamford Bridge.
Granit Xhaka open to Chelsea move despite Sunderland stance
Sunderland have made it clear that Xhaka is not for sale this summer. But the player himself has a very different view on the matter. As reported by the transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Xhaka wants to return to London and is ready to accept any contract terms to make the move happen. His priority is to link up again with Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge.
As reported by BBC, Chelsea have held talks with Xhaka’s representatives over a potential move, and the club are in active discussions with Sunderland over a fee. The Black Cats are not willing to budge easily though. They have no financial pressure to sell any of their key players this summer. With European football already secured for next season, Sunderland hold a strong hand in these negotiations. They bought Xhaka for around £17.3 million last summer and will expect a healthy profit on that figure.
Xhaka’s stats for the 2025-26 season, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Tackles Interceptions Duels Won%
Premier League 35 50 29 60%
FA Cup 2 0 3 60%
Why Xhaka matters so much to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea?
As reported by ESPN, Alonso takes charge at Chelsea on July 1 and knows Xhaka well from their time at Bayer Leverkusen. The two won the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal together during the 2023/24 season. Last season at Sunderland, Xhaka made 32 starts in the Premier League and registered six assists, as per FOTMOB. He also completed 87% of his passes and averaged 4.3 progressive carries per game. Those numbers show a midfielder who drives play forward and keeps his team in control.
Many expected Sunderland to struggle in their first season back in the top flight. Instead, Xhaka helped push them to seventh place and a spot in European football. His ability to control tempo, press high, and organise the players around him gave Sunderland a solid structure in midfield. Xhaka is expected to partner Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park at Chelsea. Caicedo wins the ball and breaks up play, while Xhaka uses his passing range to build from deep. That balance gives Chelsea a midfield that is both aggressive and composed.
A policy shift that Chelsea actually need
Signing Granit Xhaka would mark a clear change in direction for Chelsea. They have built their squad around young players for two seasons in a row. In that period, they have not picked a single outfield player aged 30 or over. As reported by BBC, club co-owner Behdad Eghbali has admitted that their recruitment approach needs to change.
Much of the criticism has pointed to a lack of real leadership inside the squad. Xhaka, the former Arsenal captain, addressed exactly that problem at Sunderland last season. He did not just perform well on the pitch. He raised the standards of those around him. That is the kind of profile the Blues are actively targeting this summer.
The search for a midfielder is now even more urgent, as Enzo Fernandez looks set to join Real Madrid. Chelsea value the Argentina international at around £120 million. As reported by Goal, both president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho back the move. If Fernandez leaves, Chelsea need a replacement who can step in straight away. Xhaka has Premier League experience, European pedigree, and the leadership that this rebuild needs.
Also Read: Wesley Fofana banned for Xabi Alonso’s first two games
Also Read: Marco Palestra deal agreed as Chelsea beat Inter race
Read More: Trevoh Chalobah exit takes twist as Chelsea open door
Follow the latest updates from Premier League, La Liga and Champions League, or explore more Football stories, Football Teams & All Football Competitions . Follow more updates on CHELSEA. You can also check Latest Sports News or visit Six Sports for more Football updates.
Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is the Sports Editor at Six Sports, where she leads editorial coverage across cricket, football, and other major sporting events. She oversees newsroom operations, editorial planning, story development, and publishing standards while ensuring every article meets Six Sports' commitment to accuracy, transparency, and responsible journalism. She works closely with writers, editors, and contributors to deliver timely news, match reports, analysis, features, and explainers covering domestic and international competitions. Her editorial approach focuses on factual reporting, clear analysis, and reader-first journalism, helping audiences stay informed about the latest developments across the sporting world. As Sports Editor, Deepanjali plays a key role in maintaining the publication's editorial quality, consistency, and independence while guiding coverage of major leagues, tournaments, teams, and athletes.
Mentioned in this Article