Exclusive: Chelsea receive fresh Granit Xhaka transfer verdict as Alonso eyes reunion

2 Jul 2026 13:53 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has urged the club to back new boss Xabi Alonso in the transfer market this summer by finalising a deal for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.

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The Switzerland international has emerged as a key target for the Blues over the last week, with Alonso keen to be reunited with the 33-year-old, but they saw an opening bid worth €9.3 million (£8m) rejected by Sunderland.

Current ETV

Granit Xhaka

DM, M (C)

Sunderland

Granit Xhaka

DM, M (C)

Sunderland

ETV Range

€15.4M - €18.8M

It’s understood that Sunderland have no intention of sanctioning a sale this summer, however Xhaka is keen to link up with Alonso again following their hugely successful time together at Bayer Leverkusen, and Desailly believes the Chelsea hierarchy should submit a fresh offer for the ex-Arsenal man.

“Look, I always say for Chelsea now that any player who is going to be signed by the club has to be the first choice of Alonso. Definitely. It’s non-negotiable,” Desially told FootballTransfers, on behalf of SportsCasting.com.

“For Alonso to be able to build his philosophy, he needs to have the players he wants around him.

“Look at what PSG has achieved when they gave Luis Enrique the freedom to bring in his own players. Instead of having his third or fourth transfer options on the shortlist he gives to Luis Campos, the Sports Director, he always gets the first choice player that matches exactly with the philosophy.

“Those decisions have paid dividends. The results for PSG over the last two years have been absolutely magnificent.”

Desailly continued: “When you talk about wingers at Chelsea, there are... I will not name them, you can guess who I’m talking about, some players that have been signed who haven’t been part of the managers philosophy. Successful football clubs let their managers sign the players – all they have to do is look across town and see the success that Arsenal have had.

“If Alonso really wants Granit Xhaka because he thinks he has something special, why not give him the player?”

© IMAGO - Chelsea want to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka this summer

How much will Granit Xhaka cost?

Sunderland paid €15m to sign Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and while he is now 33 years old, Regis Le Bris’ side are well within their rights to demand a lucrative fee given his importance at the Stadium of Light.

His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €17.1m, but Sunderland are preparing for a Europa League campaign and losing their club captain would be a huge blow ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

As a result, Chelsea may well be required to pay a fee well in excess of €20m to land the Switzerland international, although that figure could reduce if he hands in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Stamford Bridge before the end of the summer window on 1 September.

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