Granit Xhaka: Chelsea prepare second bid as Sunderland and Chelsea squad values ranked | OneFootball

Chelsea are expected to return with an improved offer for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka in the coming days.

According to Sunderland Echo, new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is believed to be driving the move after their success at Bayer Leverkusen, and Xhaka is said to be keen to reunite.

Xhaka remains a Sunderland player after an initial £8m bid was rejected and the club reiterated he is not for sale. Chelsea are expected to return with £10m-£12.5m plus add-ons, still below the £17.5m Sunderland paid after his Bundesliga title and German Cup wins.

Sunderland are also working to strengthen for a first ever Europa League campaign after finishing seventh last season, a run in which Xhaka was integral.

Current squad values: Manchester City €1.39bn, Arsenal €1.31bn, Chelsea €1.288bn, Liverpool €979.50, Tottenham Hotspur €884.50m, Manchester United €812.35m, Brighton and Hove Albion €646.70, Newcastle United €628.00m, Nottingham Forest €592.80m, AFC Bournemouth €554.38m, Aston Villa €522.20m, Crystal Palace €512.55m, Brentford €502.20m, Everton €434.10m, Sunderland €391.18m, Leeds United €354.00m, Fulham €310.20m, Ipswich Town €200.70m, Coventry City €199.35m, Hull City €71.55m.

Source: Sunderland Echo