Chelsea show interest in Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka

Will Xhaka return to London to play for rivals of his old club Arsenal?

Granit Xhaka of Switzerland  Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images 

Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka in a surprise move that would reunite him with manager Xabi Alonso, the Press Association understands.

The Switzerland international, who is currently with his country at the World Cup in North America, was the outstanding player last season for the Black Cats as they made a stunning return to the Premier League, finishing seventh to qualify for the Europa League.

He played for incoming Blues boss Alonso during Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning campaign in 2023/24, and at 34 years old would represent a marked departure from Chelsea’s recent transfer policy of signing young players.

The Press Association understands the club are conscious of Xhaka’s age and that if they are to make a bid, it will be for less than the £17million that has been quoted in some reports.

Chelsea have acknowledged internally that a change of tack is necessary in terms of their recruitment if they are to arrest the decline that set in last season, as the team finished 10th.

There is an acceptance that more experience is needed if the club are to mount a title challenge, and Xhaka’s leadership qualities, as well as his know-how and influence in helping take control of matches, could persuade the owners and sporting directors to make a formal bid.

The club are prepared for the departure of World Cup-winner Enzo Fernandez, who informed them earlier this month that he wanted to leave, though it would take a bid of £120m to prise away the Argentina international.

Should Fernandez go, it would leave a gap in midfield that a player of Xhaka’s profile would naturally fill.