Chelsea Reach Verbal Agreement for Granit Xhaka Transfer

Chelsea have reportedly made a surprise move to sign veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka from Sunderland, with new manager Xabi Alonso personally driving the pursuit of his former player. The 33-year-old Swiss international, who captained Sunderland to a remarkable Premier League campaign and Europa League qualification last season, is currently away with Switzerland at the World Cup.

Multiple reports indicate Chelsea have already reached a full verbal agreement with Xhaka on personal terms. The club is said to be in contact with Sunderland to negotiate a transfer fee, with figures between 26 million and 30 million euros being cited. Alonso, who officially begins his tenure on July 1, managed Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen, where the pair won the Bundesliga in the 2023-24 season. The midfielder subsequently joined Sunderland for a reported 15 million pounds after Alonso departed for Real Madrid in July 2025.

However, Sunderland's stance is understood to be firm, with the club considering Xhaka not for sale. The player is under contract until 2028, and the club is under no financial pressure to sell. Sources close to the club emphasize Xhaka's importance as captain and a dressing-room...