Sunderland reject first Chelsea offer for Granit Xhaka - Ornstein

Updated: 28 Jun 2026 19:10 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Sunderland have rejected a €9.2 million (£8m) offer for Granit Xhaka from Chelsea, according to transfer expert David Ornstein.

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The Switzerland international has emerged as a primary transfer target for Chelsea ahead of the 2026-27 season, with new boss Xabi Alonso driving the Blues’ pursuit of the 33-year-old after working with him at Bayer Leverkusen.

Current ETV

Granit Xhaka

DM, M (C)

Sunderland

Granit Xhaka

DM, M (C)

Sunderland

ETV Range

€15.4M - €18.8M

Alonso signed Xhaka from Arsenal during his first summer transfer window in charge of the Bundesliga club, and Xhaka played a pivotal role as Leverkusen won the German top flight title without losing a single match in his debut campaign at the club.

He was subsequently sold to Sunderland for €15m last year, after Alonso’s move to Real Madrid, and the Spaniard is now targeting a reunion with Xhaka at Stamford Bridge.

Reports have confirmed that Xhaka wants to join Chelsea this summer, with personal terms already finalised, but Sunderland have no interest in allowing their club captain to depart as they prepare for Europa League football next season after finishing seventh in 2025-26.

Chelsea, however, are determined to sign Xhaka as they look for midfield reinforcements ahead of Enzo Fernandez’s potential departure to Real Madrid and they have now seen an opening bid worth €9.2m turned down by Sunderland.

That is according to Ornstein, who reports that Sunderland have informed Chelsea that Xhaka is not for sale at any price. The Blues believe their opening proposal was fair, but Sunderland “have deemed it to be unacceptable and regard the approach as lacking respect” for the club and Xhaka himself.

Sunderland have also told Chelsea that any further offers will also be rejected, and have pointed to the fact that Xhaka still has

© IMAGO - Chelsea want to sign Granit Xhaka

While Xhaka has reportedly agreed terms with Chelsea and is keen on returning to London this summer, this goes in direct contract with his comments ahead of the World Cup.
Speaking while on international duty with Switzerland before the tournament, Xhaka said (via Sunderland Echo): "It’s [Sunderland] a bit like home for me. The city feels like Basel. Like the St. Johann district where I grew up. You can only perform at your best when you feel comfortable in a place.
“For me, the most important thing is that my family is happy. And we are in Sunderland. I’m not even thinking about a transfer. I’m really happy to finally have a summer without any speculation about my future. That’s rarely been the case in recent years. This allows me to fully focus on the World Cup."
However, Xhaka now appears to favour a move to Chelsea and Sunderland could be faced with the possibility of accepting a sale if he pushes to leave the club.

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