Chelsea Submits £26m Bid for Sunderland's Granit Xhaka
Chelsea has reportedly made a £26 million bid to sign Sunderland's Granit Xhaka, following a personal

Chelsea Football Club is set for an active summer transfer window as they aim to reshape their squad under the guidance of new manager Xabi Alonso. With the recent sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, which brought in £51.8 million, the club is looking to utilize these funds to strengthen their team.
Reports suggest that Chelsea has reached an agreement with Sunderland star Granit Xhaka, a player Alonso is familiar with from their time together in the Bundesliga. Xhaka played a pivotal role in helping Sunderland achieve European qualification last season, making him an attractive target for Chelsea as they look to bolster their midfield.
While Sunderland is reportedly not open to offers for Xhaka, Chelsea's financial position after Cucurella's sale gives them a solid starting point for negotiations. Alonso's first signing is expected to be Marco Palestra, who is finalizing a £43 million transfer from Atalanta, further indicating Chelsea's intent to make significant changes this summer.
In addition to pursuing Xhaka and Palestra, Chelsea is also in discussions to acquire Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, indicating a comprehensive approach to their summer recruitment strategy. Alonso will have several new players to evaluate as pre-arranged deals for Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev, and Emmanuel Emegha are set to materialize next month.
Furthermore, the potential departure of Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid for a reported £120 million could provide Chelsea with additional funds to continue their rebuilding efforts. Although signing Xhaka may not be a long-term solution due to his age, it would be a strategic move to ensure the team remains competitive and prepared for any significant player exits.