Granit Xhaka to Remain at Sunderland Amid Chelsea Interest This Summer

Granit Xhaka, Sunderland's captain, is set to stay with the club this summer despite Chelsea's interest. The Switzerland midfielder, whose contract runs until 2028, has expressed his commitment to the Black Cats after discussions with club officials.

On July 3, 2026, reports emerged that Chelsea had submitted an £8 million bid for Xhaka, which was promptly rejected by Sunderland. The Premier League club was anticipated to return with an improved offer; however, sources indicate that Xhaka is not for sale.

Xhaka's Impact at Sunderland

Since joining Sunderland, Xhaka has been instrumental in the team's success, helping them qualify for European competition for the first time in 53 years. His contributions included:

• 34 Premier League appearances
• 1 goal scored
• Leading Sunderland to a 7th place finish

His performance last season solidified his status as a key player for the Black Cats, who are now looking to build on that success.

Interest from Chelsea and Xhaka's Future

Despite the rejection of Chelsea's initial bid, the club remains hopeful of securing Xhaka's services. Sources close to the club suggest that the former Arsenal midfielder is intrigued by the prospect of reuniting with manager Xabi Alonso, under whom he thrived at Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Sunderland's management has made it clear that they view Xhaka as a vital part of their squad moving forward. It is unclear if Chelsea will make another attempt to acquire the player.

Xhaka's Career Highlights

Before joining Sunderland, Xhaka had a distinguished career, including:

• 7 years at Arsenal with 297 appearances
• A successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga

Currently, Xhaka is participating in the World Cup hosted in the US, Mexico, and Canada, where Switzerland has advanced to the last 16.