Chelsea turn to Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after Granit Xhaka bid ends | OneFootball

Chelsea have shifted focus after ending their pursuit of Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, moving for Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.

Henderson is expected to leave Brentford this summer on a free after a strong season. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea lead the race, with Chelsea’s new head coach Xabi Alonso seeking experience and leadership after initially targeting Xhaka.

Sunderland rejected an £eight million bid and, following further talks, Xhaka chose to stay on Wearside to front the club’s first European campaign for over 50 years. Head coach Régis Le Bris said after the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in Nashville that the chase was over, praising Xhaka’s commitment and leadership.

During Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarter finals, Xhaka said Sunderland had felt like home from day one, stressed family came first and confirmed he would remain, adding he was ready to make history with the club.

Chelsea have also opened talks with Brighton to sign Welbeck, who impressed on loan at Sunderland in 2010-11 and has been a regular across six years at Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton are not expected to stand in his way if a suitable fee is agreed, and 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.

Source: Sunderland Echo