Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, with a verbal agreement now reportedly in place between the player and the club.
Transfer expert Florian Plettenberg reports that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with the 33-year-old Swiss international ahead of a potential summer move.
Personal terms between Xhaka and Chelsea are said to be fully agreed, with club-to-club negotiations with Sunderland now set to begin.
Plettenberg adds that Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is pushing hard for the deal and has made signing Xhaka a clear personal priority this transfer window.
The midfielder himself is now reported to be waiting for the two clubs to reach a financial agreement before the move can be formally completed.
Xhaka joined Sunderland last summer from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £13m, a figure that has since proven to be exceptional value.
The Swiss captain started 32 Premier League matches for Sunderland, contributing one goal and six assists as the club finished seventh in their first top-flight season back after promotion from the Championship.
That impressive seventh-place finish also earned Sunderland qualification for the 2026-27 Europa League, with Xhaka playing a central role throughout the campaign.
Any transfer fee Chelsea pay is expected to be similar to the roughly £13m Sunderland paid Bayer Leverkusen for his services last summer.
Xhaka has accumulated 259 Premier League appearances across his career, bringing a level of experience that Chelsea’s young and developing squad currently lacks in several positions.
Chelsea finished last season as the Premier League’s most ill-disciplined side, collecting more red cards than any other club, making Xhaka’s leadership qualities particularly attractive.
Should the deal be completed, Xhaka would be expected to partner Moisés Caicedo in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield and provide Alonso with a trusted and experienced option in rotation.