Chelsea ‘to make’ improved second Granit Xhaka bid as Sunderland stance holds | OneFootball

Sunderland Echo understands that Chelsea are expected to return with an improved offer for captain Granit Xhaka, with head coach Xabi Alonso pushing the move.

The London club saw an opening bid of around £8m rejected, with Sunderland making clear the midfielder is not for sale. A second proposal is likely to land at £10m to £12.5m plus add-ons.

Xhaka is thought to be open to the switch, and Alonso is eager to work with the Switzerland international. Chelsea’s hierarchy are reluctant to overpay for a player who is now 33.

Sunderland only signed Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a package worth about £17.5m, and he is viewed as central to Régis Le Bris' plans. He was handed the armband on arrival and quickly became one of the side’s most influential figures on and off the pitch.

The wider backdrop adds intrigue. Sunderland secured a Europa League place at the end of last season, while Chelsea missed out after losing to the North East club twice.

Any agreement would require a major change in the numbers from Chelsea’s side. For now, Sunderland’s stance remains unchanged.

Source: Sunderland Echo