Grant Xhaka is not for sale as Sunderland have rejected an approach from Chelsea.(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Sunderland have issued a hands-off for Granit Xhaka after Chelsea expressed an interest in the Switzerland midfielder. The Black Cats have rebuffed the Blues approaches and blocked a reunion with Xabi Alonso as the former Arsenal captain is not for sale at any price.
The 33-year-old, who was initially attracted by the prospect of returning to the capital, is intent on helping Sunderland in their Europa League campaign following discussions with the North East club, **football.london** understands. The new Chelsea head coach worked with Xhaka during a successful together at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga but they will have to divert their attention elsewhere to different targets.
Xhaka was said to have been interested in a move to Chelsea, paving the way for a reunion with Alonso, and becoming the former Real Madrid boss's second signing after Marco Palestra arrived from Atalanta. However, the 33-year-old has turned down a Premier League swap with Sunderland taking a hardened stance that their key player wasn't for sale.
[Chelsea saw their initial £8million bid rejected for Xhaka](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/breaking-chelsea-granit-xhaka-bid-34201590) and were plotting an improved offer to add experience in the Stamford Bridge engine room. Figures at the Stadium of Light were said to be furious by the offer but Regis Le Bris will now be able to plan with Xhaka in his side for the forthcoming season.
The midfielder recently celebrated his 150th international cap for Switzerland but was keen to side-step the question-mark surrounding his future.
He said: "That's not my job. I have my management for that. I want to concentrate fully on the World Cup."
Xhaka's return to the North East will be delayed further after Switzerland progressed into the last-16 in North America. Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye were on target as the Europeans eased past Algeria.
Alonso will be looking to accelerate the summer rebuild with Palestra in the building. Crystal Palace and France central defender Maxence Lacroix is also a player of interest with Chelsea working on a deal to bring him across London.
The Spaniard is edging closer to officially getting started at Cobham with pre-season set to begin on July 9. He will have 19 days with the squad before they take on their first test, which comes against Western Sydney Warriors on July 28, less than a month before the Premier League opener against Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 24.
Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha are four deals that will become permanent after being signed prior to Alonso entering the fray in West London.
Enzo Fernandez has faced intense scrutiny over a move to Real Madrid with Chelsea keen not to part ways but also would not stand in the way of an exit. However, Los Blancos issued a statement on Friday pouring cold water on a move for the Argentine, rendering the speculation over a departure obsolete.
They wrote: "In light of the information and statements that have emerged in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid C. F. in the player Enzo Fernández, the club wishes to state that it has not made any efforts, either directly or indirectly, aimed at signing the aforementioned player and, furthermore, has no intention of pursuing such an operation.
Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernández, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely recognised, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship.
"Precisely out of respect for an institution like Chelsea FC and the principles of institutional loyalty that have always guided Real Madrid's actions, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny these speculations, which are unfounded and do not reflect reality.
"Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the absence of any action by the club, information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and only serves to create confusion among fans and unnecessarily harm the entities and individuals involved."