Granit Xhaka, Sunderland and Chelsea: bid rejected, fees debated and what could follow | OneFootball

Sunderland have rejected an initial A38 million offer from Chelsea for Granit Xhaka, and the saga could yet run. According to Sunderland Echo, Chelsea have moved for the midfielder and he is keen on the switch.

One view is that Sunderland do not want to sell, but there is now too much noise for this to vanish quickly. Whether Chelsea meet the valuation and whether Sunderland can source a trusted replacement are seen as pivotal, if both align, Xhaka probably leaves. He is under contract until 2028, so with two years left the club have leverage.

Another assessment suggests it would be a surprise to see Xhaka line up on opening day. If he is unhappy, that could hurt morale, so ownership might prefer a good fee rather than a drawn-out saga. Sunderland will not roll over, and it is on Chelsea to get serious.

From a Sunderland perspective, serious talks likely start around A320 million to A325 million. The price reflects more than a 33-year-old, it reflects last season’s form, the captaincy, leadership and the disruption. Chelsea need his profile, and their new manager is understood to be keen, so a premium is expected.

An A38 million bid is viewed as derisory, with A315 million the bare minimum and A320 million a sign of real intent. Premier League survival and a strong Europa League run are said to be worth well over A3100 million to Sunderland, so any offer must reflect his importance.

Losing him early would be a blow and could dent squad and supporter confidence. Sunderland have recovered after big sales before and do not need to panic, yet this feels the hardest to replace. There is faith in recruitment and in players such as Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fée stepping up, even if starting without Xhaka would likely put Sunderland on the back foot.

Source: Sunderland Echo