Chelsea have taken a significant step towards signing Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka after reaching a verbal agreement on personal terms with the Switzerland international, according to reports. Negotiations between the two clubs are now expected to focus on agreeing a transfer fee.
The 33-year-old has emerged as one of Xabi Alonso’s priority targets as the new Chelsea head coach looks to add experience and leadership to a youthful squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
Alonso knows Xhaka well from their successful spell together at Bayer Leverkusen, where the midfielder played a pivotal role in the club’s rise before returning to the Premier League with Sunderland last summer. Their strong working relationship is understood to have been a key factor in Chelsea’s pursuit.
Xhaka enjoyed an outstanding first season at the Stadium of Light, helping newly promoted Sunderland finish seventh in the Premier League and qualify for the Europa League. As club captain, he became one of the driving forces behind one of the most impressive campaigns in the club’s modern history while further enhancing his reputation as one of Europe’s leading midfield leaders.
His impressive form has continued on the international stage, with Xhaka captaining Switzerland to the top of their World Cup group and into the knockout rounds.
Chelsea’s interest comes as uncertainty surrounds the future of Enzo Fernandez, with reports suggesting the Argentina midfielder could leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Should that happen, Xhaka is viewed as an experienced replacement capable of bringing balance and authority to the midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
While he does not possess the same attacking qualities as Fernandez, Chelsea believe his organisational skills, leadership and ability to dictate the tempo of matches would complement the club’s younger midfield options, including Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia.
Discussions between Chelsea and Sunderland are now expected to centre on the transfer fee. Sunderland signed Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £13 million, with a further £4 million in performance-related add-ons, and would stand to make a healthy profit if a deal is completed this summer.
Although Chelsea have built their recent recruitment strategy around emerging talent, the pursuit of Xhaka represents a shift towards adding proven experience. Following a disappointing campaign, the club is keen to strengthen the leadership core of the dressing room, with Alonso believed to view his former player as an ideal figure to help guide a squad packed with young talent.
No agreement has yet been reached between the clubs, but reports indicate negotiations are progressing after Chelsea secured the player’s approval. If a transfer fee can be finalised, Xhaka could become one of the most surprising high-profile moves of the summer transfer window and reunite with the coach who helped revive his career in Germany.
