Chelsea are preparing a move for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, with manager Xabi Alonso personally driving the push to sign the Swiss veteran.
Alonso is understood to be keen on bolstering his squad with experienced players this summer as Chelsea look to strengthen their options in central midfield.
Xhaka enjoyed a stellar season at the Stadium of Light, scooping Sunderland’s Player of the Season award after playing a pivotal role in the club securing Europa League qualification.
The 33-year-old was a model of consistency last season, missing just four Premier League games while contributing one goal and six assists throughout the campaign.
Reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed via X that Chelsea are now formally preparing a move for Xhaka, though the club are not willing to meet the higher fee figures that have been reported elsewhere.
There have been suggestions Chelsea could be willing to pay as much as £26 million for the midfielder, a figure that may raise eyebrows given he is set to turn 34 in September.
Xhaka holds 259 Premier League appearances to his name and carries the kind of experience and leadership that Alonso is reportedly seeking to add to his Stamford Bridge dressing room.
The Switzerland international, who has earned 149 caps for his country, is also said to be keen on reuniting with Alonso, having previously worked together at Bayer Leverkusen during their historic 2023-24 Bundesliga title-winning campaign.
Xhaka has spoken glowingly of Alonso in the past, saying: “He had no experience on the big stage. What he did have was personality. When he walked into the dressing room and started talking, everyone was completely focused.”
He added: “Every word he said was true. He wasn’t fake. He was authentic. He only cares about what he sees on the pitch. If you train well, he’ll give you a chance.”
Football commentator Harry Symeou was among those impressed by Xhaka’s performances during the season, saying in January: “Granit Xhaka and Sunderland were excellent tonight. Their work rate is incredible and with the Stadium of Light crowd behind them, they’re quite the force. You can see why they’re unbeaten there in the league so far this season.”
Xhaka has also carried his form into the World Cup, featuring in all three of Switzerland’s group stage games and scoring in their 4-1 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, helping propel them to the round of 32 as Group B winners.
However, completing the deal is expected to prove difficult, as Sunderland have little interest in selling and Xhaka remains contracted at the club until 2028.
Manager Regis Le Bris losing his Player of the Season ahead of a Europa League campaign would represent a significant blow for the Black Cats.
A move for the experienced Swiss midfielder could also signal a broader shift in Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, which under BlueCo ownership has strongly prioritised signing younger players.