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

Chelsea have turned to Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after abandoning their pursuit of Granit Xhaka. According to Sunderland Echo, the club have moved for the former Sunderland pair following a failed offer for the Black Cats captain.

New head coach Xabi Alonso is aiming to add leadership to a youthful squad and had identified Xhaka as his preferred option. Sunderland rejected an £8 million bid, and after further talks the midfielder chose to stay and lead their first European campaign for over 50 years.

Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris said the chase was over after the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in Nashville, describing the matter as closed. He highlighted Xhaka’s commitment to Sunderland and his leadership.

Henderson, 36, is expected to leave Brentford this summer on a free transfer. Other Premier League clubs are understood to be in contention.

Chelsea have also opened talks with Brighton regarding Welbeck, who impressed on loan at Sunderland in 2010-11. The striker has been a regular across six years at Brighton, who are not expected to block a move if a suitable fee is agreed.

Any Welbeck arrival could push former Sunderland loanee Marc Guiu further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, leaving his future increasingly uncertain.

Source: Sunderland Echo