Chelsea are planning to make an offer for Granit Xhaka after Xabi Alonso called on Blues owners BlueCo to complete a deal for the Sunderland midfielder, according to a report.
Alonsowho will officially become Chelsea’s new manager on July 1, worked with Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen.
The duo won the Bundesliga title and German Cup in the 2023/24 season, and also reached the Europa League final that season.
Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for £17.3 million.
The former Arsenal star was one of the Premier League’s best players last season and was a key figure for the team. Sunderland.
The 33-year-old, who will compete for Switzerland at the 2026 World Cup, made 32 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Black Cats last season.
Xhaka scored one goal and made six assists in those games as Sunderland finished seventh in the Premier League table and qualified for the 2026/27 Europa League.
The midfielder is contracted to Sunderland until 2028, but Chelsea are planning to move him out of the Stadium of Light this summer.
Chelsea want to sign Sunderland star Granit Xhaka
According to an Italian journalist Luca CercioneAlonso personally asked Chelsea to sign Xhaka.
Reporter with over 14,000 followers on X and was one of the first to report the news Chelsea’s desire to sign Marco Palestrastated that Chelsea are ready to offer €30 million (£26 million) for Xhaka.
Rome published on X at 11:22, June 27: Chelsea on Granit Xhaka: urgent request from Xabi Alonso, his former coach at Leverkusen.
“Blues’ first offer: €30 million.”
This is not the first time Xhaka has been linked with a move away from Sunderland.
Back in May, the Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel calls on the Red Devils to sign Xhaka.
Schmeichel spoke about Manchester United and Xhaka The good, the bad and football podcast: “I think we should go and sign Xhaka.
“I maintain that we are going to build the team around Kobby, right.
“Now Casemiro is leaving. Now you bring in someone like Wharton, Anderson or someone else… he’s still young, untested.
“What we need and what we don’t really have, other than Harry and Bruno in this team, is proper leadership.
“When I look at what Xhaka has done for Sunderland, Xhaka is the reason they are where they are.
“He’s been amazing, he’s got great leadership skills, he can play 80 percent of the games, he’s a really good player.
“We desperately need more leadership.”
Butt replied: “Xhaka has come and gone. I don’t play in every game, but he will bring a lot to the team.”
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