Chelsea transfer interest grows around Granit Xhaka
Credit to The Guardian for the original information, with Jacob Steinberg reporting that Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.
It is the sort of rumour that feels, at first glance, slightly odd, then increasingly logical the longer it sits in the mind. Chelsea, a club often associated with youth, acceleration and market speculation, are considering a player who turns 34 in September. Yet the appeal of Xhaka is not difficult to understand.
“Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka, who was a key player for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.”
That line carries the heart of the story. Xhaka is not merely another experienced midfielder. He is someone Alonso knows, trusts and clearly values.
Xabi Alonso connection matters
Xhaka helped define Alonso’s Leverkusen side, bringing rhythm, authority and a sense of order to a team that won the Bundesliga title in 2024. For Alonso, now shaping Chelsea in his own image, familiarity may matter as much as profile.
The Guardian reports: “Alonso is keen to add experience to Chelsea’s squad and has identified the Switzerland midfielder as a player of interest.”
That feels significant. Chelsea have collected talent at pace in recent years, yet talent alone rarely gives a team structure. Xhaka, at his best, plays like a metronome with elbows, slowing matches, speeding them up, pointing, organising and quietly annoying opponents into submission.
Sunderland stance creates transfer complication
Sunderland, understandably, are not expected to roll over. Xhaka joined last summer, has two years left on his deal and played a major role in their remarkable qualification for the Europa League after promotion.
“Sunderland are determined not to sell and are expected to fight to hold on to him.”
That is where the deal becomes delicate. Chelsea are unlikely to pay a major fee for a player of Xhaka’s age, no matter how strong…
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