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

Chelsea have turned to Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after conceding defeat in their bid to sign Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka.

Sunderland Echo reports that new head coach Xabi Alonso wants experience to balance a young squad, having initially targeted Xhaka. The club have now begun moves for the former Sunderland pair.

Sunderland rejected an £eight million offer and, following further talks, Xhaka opted to stay on Wearside to lead the club into a first European campaign for over 50 years.

After the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in Nashville, head coach Régis Le Bris underlined Xhaka’s commitment and leadership, saying the matter was closed.

During Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarter finals, Xhaka said Sunderland has felt like home from day one, his family are happy, he chose to remain and he aims to make history there.

Henderson, 36, is expected to leave Brentford on a free transfer after a successful season, with several Premier League sides interested, though Chelsea are seen as frontrunners.

Chelsea have also opened talks with Brighton for Welbeck, who enjoyed a successful loan at Sunderland in 2010-11.

Brighton are not expected to stand in his way if a suitable fee is agreed, and Welbeck’s arrival could push former Sunderland loanee Marc Guiu further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Source: Sunderland Echo