Softfootball can confirm Chelsea are preparing an offer to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland after incoming manager Xabi Alonso urged the club’s hierarchy to complete a deal for the experienced midfielder.
The move comes after Chelsea completed the signing of promising Italian full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta in a deal worth €50 million plus €5 million in add-ons.
Alonso, who officially takes charge of Chelsea on July 1, is eager to reunite with Xhaka after the pair enjoyed tremendous success together at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal during the 2023/24 season while also reaching the UEFA Europa League final.
Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for a reported £17.3 million and quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders.
The Switzerland international made 34 Premier League appearances last season, scoring once and providing six assists as Sunderland secured a seventh-place finish and qualified for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League.
Although the 33-year-old remains under contract until 2028, Chelsea are determined to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
