Chelsea ‘to return’ for Granit Xhaka as Sunderland hold firm | OneFootball

Sunderland have rejected a £eight million bid from Chelsea for Granit Xhaka and consider their captain not for sale. The midfielder is under contract until 2028.

Sunderland paid £17 million to sign him from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, then he captained a seventh-place Premier League finish and Europa League qualification. The size of Chelsea’s opening offer has been widely criticised.

BBC Sport reports that signing the 33-year-old would be a significant departure from Chelsea’s recent approach, with the club fielding the Premier League’s youngest side across the past two seasons and not selecting anyone aged 30 or over. They also note leadership has been identified as a recruitment need.

Fabrizio Romano reports Chelsea are preparing a new approach and that Sunderland are not under pressure to sell, having planned with Xhaka. He adds Chelsea are expected to return because the player wants to join and reunite with Xabi Alonso.

Football.london described the opening proposal as embarrassing and argued a fee above £20 million would be reasonable despite his age, noting Sunderland finished above Chelsea last season.

TalkSPORT claims Sunderland feel Xhaka is trying to orchestrate a departure and that Chelsea will come back with another bid, adding the club are unhappy with the situation.

The Athletic says Chelsea viewed £eight million as fair because Xhaka turns 34 in September, but Sunderland rejected it immediately and regarded the offer as disrespectful. The same report adds Sunderland told Chelsea not to submit further bids and hope that stance is respected.

As it stands, Chelsea want Xhaka, he is said to want the move, and Sunderland are holding their line. Whether the Blues test that position again now appears the next key question.

Source: Sunderland Echo