Xhaka's Snub to Xabi Alonso

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Fulham Chelsea

24/08/26 21:00:00

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Granit Xhaka, a 33-year-old Swiss midfielder, will continue at Sunderland during the 2026-2027 season. Régis Le Bris has ended the operation after the club rejected an offer of £8 million and the player expressed his intention to stay, effectively closing off any potential transfer to Chelsea.

This decision prevents the player from reuniting with Xabi Alonso, who had requested his addition to Chelsea. Both had coincided for two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen, where the midfielder was a regular part of the team that won the Bundesliga and the German Cup in 2024.

Granit Xhaka confirms he will stay at Sunderland

Le Bris cleared any doubts regarding Granit Xhaka after the pre-season match against Liverpool in the United States. The coach explained that the captain has been clear with the club and wants to take part in the team's upcoming sporting phase.

The player's stance eliminates any possibility of reopening negotiations in the coming weeks. The Swiss has a contract until June 30, 2028, after signing for three seasons upon leaving Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025.

The midfielder arrived in England through a deal initially valued at around £13 million, with an additional £4 million subject to variables. Shortly after joining, Le Bris handed him the captain's armband due to his experience at Arsenal, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and the German side.

His first season ended with the team qualifying for the Europa League. Xhaka also played six matches for Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup, where his national team reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Argentina.

Chelsea had offered £8 million

At the end of June, Chelsea presented a £8 million proposal to sign Granit Xhaka. The offer was turned down as the club felt it did not reflect the player's sporting value and importance within the team.

The request came from Xabi Alonso, who aimed to add experience to the midfield and bring back one of his trusted players. During their time together at Leverkusen, the Swiss was part of the team that went unbeaten in the 2023-2024 Bundesliga.

The interest also stemmed from a need for leadership in a squad with many young players. However, the offer fell short of the total amount that the Black Cats' owners had committed to signing him just a year earlier.

No possibility of moving him from Sunderland

The coach publicly defended his captain's continuity due to his influence in the dressing room. Participation in the Europa League will increase the team's number of games, requiring the coaching staff to have players with experience in continental competitions.

The midfielder's stay forces the London club to seek an alternative before the transfer window closes. The club has explored various profiles to strengthen that area but no longer considers reopening talks for the Swiss international.

The next step will be his full integration into the season's preparation after the World Cup. Unless an unforeseen change in position occurs by the player or management, Granit Xhaka will start the season as captain and enter his second year of the contract.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Portazo de Xhaka a Xabi Alonso