There were many who reacted, when Sunderland presented the most lucrative contract in the club’s history to bring Granit Xhaka to the newly promoted club. It didn’t take many weeks before everyone realized the Swiss was worth it. Quickly appointed captain, in what became a historically strong season with 7th place and a Europa League ticket. Now the Sunderland management must hold on to the veteran, Xabi Alonso needs his former Bayer Leverkusen star.
Xabi Alonso needs more experience at Stamford Bridge, and has made it clear internally that he would like to reunite with a number of players he previously worked with at Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea have already explored possible transfers for Edmond Tapsoba and Alejandro Grimaldo during the current transfer window, but their interest in Xhaka is on another level.
READ: Brighton take advantage of opportunity at Leeds – signing key player Daniel Farke least wants to lose
Xabi Alonso and Chelsea interested in bringing Granit Xhaka to Stamford Bridge
The Sunderland management have insisted that they have not received any contact from Chelsea or any other club regarding captain Granit Xhaka, but according to Teamtalk’s sources , the Swiss midfielder is a real target for the Blues.
The 33-year-old joined the Stadium of Light from Bayer Leverkusen for £17 million. According to “sources close to the situation”, Chelsea have held talks with Xhaka’s representatives to register their interest and find out if the former Arsenal midfielder would be open to a return to London. The talks are said to have been positive, with Xhaka expected to be open to a Chelsea transfer if he chooses to leave Sunderland.
Read on Radiosporten: Canadians “jump in the canoe” and copy Norway’s “Viking rowing” in the World Cup
So far, Chelsea have not made any formal enquiries with Sunderland.
All about the World Cup matches on live sports
