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

Chelsea have turned to Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after accepting defeat in their bid for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka. Sunderland Echo reports that the Blues have moved for the former Black Cats duo following an £8 million offer being rejected.

New head coach Xabi Alonso is determined to add experience and leadership to a very young squad, and initially identified Xhaka as his ideal addition. After talks with Sunderland, the midfielder chose to stay and lead their first European campaign for over 50 years.

Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris said after the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in Nashville that Chelsea’s chase was over, calling the matter closed and praising Xhaka’s commitment and captaincy. During Switzerland’s World Cup quarter-final run, Xhaka said Sunderland felt like home, that family came first and that he was staying to make history.

Henderson, 36, is expected to leave Brentford on a free transfer this summer after a successful season, and the Blues are the clear frontrunners despite interest from other Premier League sides.

Chelsea have opened talks with Brighton to sign Welbeck, who impressed on loan at Sunderland in 2010-11. He has been a regular across six years at Brighton, and the club are not expected to block a move if an appropriate fee is agreed. Welbeck’s arrival could push former Sunderland loanee Marc Guiu further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, leaving his future increasingly uncertain.

Source: Sunderland Echo