Granit Xhaka is ready to remain with Sunderland for one more season amid widespread speculation linking him with a summer move to Chelsea.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Granit Xhaka has been the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are keen on bolstering their first-team squad by signing a versatile midfielder in the ongoing transfer window, and they have set their sights on the 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder.
However, per TEAMtalk, Xhaka has informed Sunderland and Chelsea that he will not depart from the Stadium of Light ahead of the 2026/27 season. With the Wearside outfit reportedly refusing to sell the former Arsenal captain, he is ready to respect the club’s wishes and continue his spell for another season.
How has Granit Xhaka fared since returning to the Premier League?
Granit Xhaka has been exceptional since joining Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a surprise deal worth €20 million last summer. The 33-year-old returned to the Premier League at the peak of his powers after an exceptional stint in the Bundesliga. The Wearside club’s decision has proven justified, as the former Arsenal captain’s leadership was one of the catalysts in a historic campaign for Regis Le Bris’s team.
The 149-cap Swiss international, who has also scored 18 goals for Switzerland, was a mainstay in the middle of the park for Sunderland, amassing over 3,000 minutes of game time in 36 outings while chipping in with one goal and six assists. His contribution played his part in the Black Cats securing a top-eight finish and clinching European qualification.
What next for Xhaka?
Sunderland and Xhaka’s exploits have piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, and Chelsea’s interest is somewhat perplexing, yet understandable. The Blues are concerned about Enzo Fernandez’s long-term future, with the Argentine international already having an agreement on personal terms with Real Madrid.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner’s departure will create a leadership void in the middle of the park, forcing Chelsea to return to the market for a midfielder. Several top-notch candidates, including Manu Kone, have thus emerged on the West London club’s wishlist, with Xhaka also a viable target.
Xhaka’s midfield range and leadership, proven across his Bundesliga stint and Sunderland tenure, would fill Chelsea’s void and inject proven creativity into the middle. Meanwhile, Florian Plettenberg has also revealed that Sunderland will likely demand a similar fee to the one they paid to sign the Swiss midfielder last summer, reportedly worth €20 million.