Sunderland says Xhaka will stay, Chelsea bid rejected

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has definitively closed the door on Chelsea's pursuit of club captain Granit Xhaka, declaring the transfer topic over and insisting the midfielder will remain at the Stadium of Light. The announcement follows Chelsea's unsuccessful bid, reported to be around 8 million pounds, to reunite Xhaka with their new manager, Xabi Alonso, under whom the Swiss international previously played at Bayer Leverkusen.

Le Bris made the statement after Sunderland's 4-2 preseason friendly defeat to Liverpool in Nashville on Saturday, July 25, 2026. He stated that Xhaka has been unequivocal about his commitment to the club. "No, this topic is closed," Le Bris told reporters. "He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland. He wants to make the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain. Great leader." The 33-year-old midfielder, who joined Sunderland last summer after seven years with Arsenal, was reportedly attracted to the idea of working again with Alonso in London but ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to the north-east club.

Xhaka played a pivotal role in Sunderland's successful return to the Premier League last...