Chelsea target Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after failed Granit Xhaka bid | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Chelsea have switched focus to Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after conceding defeat in their push to sign Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka.

Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris said the chase was over after the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in Nashville at the weekend.

He described the matter as closed and praised Xhaka's leadership and commitment to the club. During Switzerland's run to the World Cup quarter finals, Xhaka said Sunderland feels like home and that he had chosen to stay, with family central to his decision.

Henderson, 36, is expected to leave Brentford this summer on a free transfer after a strong season, and Chelsea are viewed as the clear frontrunners. New head coach Xabi Alonso wants added experience and leadership in a young squad, having first targeted Xhaka. Sunderland rejected an £8 million offer, and after further talks the midfielder opted to stay to lead their first European campaign in over 50 years.

Chelsea have also opened talks with Brighton over Welbeck, who impressed on loan at Sunderland in 2010-11 and has been a regular across six years on the south coast. Brighton are not expected to stand in his way if a suitable fee is agreed. Welbeck’s arrival would leave former Sunderland loanee Marc Guiu further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and make his future increasingly uncertain, while other Premier League clubs retain interest in Henderson.

Source: Sunderland Echo