Chelsea have moved onto new targets after accepting defeat in their bid to sign Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka
Chelsea have launched a shock move to sign former Sunderland duo Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
Henderson is expected to leave Brentford this summer after a successful season at the club and as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are currently leading the race. New head coach Xabi Alonso is determined to add experience and leadership to his otherwise very young squad, and had initially identified Granit Xhaka as his ideal candidate. Sunderland rejected an £8 million bid from Chelsea and after further talks with the Black Cats, Xhaka decided he was happy to stay on Wearside and lead the club into the first European campaign for over 50 years.
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris confirmed after the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in Nashville over the weekend that Chelsea's pursuit was over.
"This topic is closed," Le Bris said.
"Granit has been really clear about his future, he loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland, he wants to make the future of Sunderland. He's a good captain, a great leader."
Speaking during Switzerland's run to the World Cup quarter finals, Xhaka himself said: "Sunderland has been my home since day one. We are all very happy. I decided to stay where I am; family is the most important thing. I am ready to make history with them."
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Chelsea have now identified Henderson as an alternative, with the 36-year-old set to depart Brentford on a free transfer. A number of other Premier League clubs are said to still be in the race at this stage but the Blues are the clear frontrunners.
They have also opened talks with Brighton to sign Welbeck, who enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Sunderland in the 2010-11 season. Welbeck has been a regular for Brighton & Hove Albion over a six-year association with the club, who are not expected to stand in his way should an appropriate fee be agreed. Welbeck’s arrival would leave former Sunderland loanee Marc Guiu further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge with his future at the club increasingly uncertain.