Sunderland have rejected Chelsea's opening bid for key midfielder Granit Xhaka. The bid, reported to be £8 million, was turned down by the Black Cats, who are keen to hold on to their captain.

What happened?

Chelsea's interest in Xhaka is driven by incoming boss Xabi Alonso, who managed the midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka joined Sunderland from the German club last year and helped them secure a surprise 7th place finish.

Why it matters for Sunderland

Xhaka's contract runs until June 2028, and Sunderland are unwilling to sell him at any price this summer. The midfielder has been a key player for the Black Cats, and his departure would be a significant blow.

Current context

As of 28 Jun 2026, Sunderland are 7th in the Premier League with 54 points from 38 games, and a recent form of WWDDL. Their last result was a 2-1 win over Chelsea on 2026-05-24. | Category | Stat | | --- | --- | | League standing | 7th | | Points | 54 | | Recent form | WWDDL | | Last result | Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea | Xhaka remains a key part of Sunderland's plans, and the club will be keen to hold on to him as they look to build on their recent success.