Granit Xhaka will be staying at Sunderland this summer, despite Chelsea’s efforts to sign the Switzerland midfielder.
Journalist Sébastien Denis reports exclusive information on the Sunderland midfielder’s future today.
Sunderland stand firm
According to his information, ‘Granit Xhaka officially stays at Sunderland’ this summer. He reports that the Black Cats have made this clear. And they have made clear from day one that the 33-year-old is ‘completely non-transferable’ this summer.
He states that while Xhaka was tempted by a reunion with Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, the midfielder has ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to the Black Cats. He’s been convinced by the club to remain at the Stadium of Light.
Their ambition to secure a European spot, the long-term project and his ‘very strong bond’ with the supporters at the club have made the difference in his decision. He will remain a ‘key leader’ this season following his impressive first season at the club last season.
Chelsea efforts
Chelsea have been making efforts to sign the midfielder over the last two weeks, courtesy of Alonso. He made the Xhaka a key part of his project at Bayer Leverkusen and was rewarded for it.
His leadership and control in midfielder was a key part of the German’s side’s success under Alonso before he left for Real Madrid. A reunion at Chelsea, where the belief is that they need older players in the dressing room, would have made sense.
But Sunderland have never showed any desire for a sale, particularly with reports in England stating Chelsea had offered as little as £8m. Granit Xhaka has been clear about his future too.
Sport Witness covered comments from him last month explaining that he was happy to be heading into a summer without any transfer speculation. That was before Chelsea made their move. Now it seems Sunderland and he and putting it to bed once and for all.
