Chelsea have been encouraged to make a renewed offer for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka by former Blues defender Marcel Desailly. The Switzerland international has emerged as a key target for new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who previously worked with Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen. An initial bid of €9.3 million (£8m) was recently rejected by Sunderland, according to reports.
Desailly believes that Chelsea’s hierarchy should prioritise Alonso’s transfer requests, stating that any signings must be the manager’s first choice. He pointed to the success of Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique, where the manager was given the freedom to sign players aligning with his philosophy, as a model for Chelsea to follow. Desailly also referenced Arsenal’s success as a club that supports its manager’s transfer decisions.
Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for a fee of €15 million and has become a key figure for the Black Cats. Despite being 33 years old, his importance to the team, particularly with Sunderland preparing for a Europa League campaign, means the club is currently unwilling to sanction a sale. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is currently set at €17.1 million.
However, Xhaka is reportedly keen to reunite with Alonso at Stamford Bridge. A transfer request from the player could potentially force Sunderland’s hand and reduce the required transfer fee, which Chelsea may need to exceed €20 million to secure. The summer transfer window closes on September 1st, adding a time constraint to any potential deal. The situation highlights Alonso’s desire to shape the Chelsea squad in his image, and the club’s willingness to support him could be crucial in attracting key targets.
