Alonso pushes Chelsea to break transfer rules with move for Sunderland's Xhaka

Chelsea have opened talks with representatives of Granit Xhaka as new head coach Xabi Alonso pushes the club to pursue the 33-year-old Sunderland captain — a move that would mark a significant departure from the transfer strategy adopted since BlueCo’s takeover in 2022.

Since Todd Boehly’s consortium assumed control, Chelsea have signed just one outfield player aged over 25: Tosin Adarabioyo, who joined on a free transfer from Fulham in the summer of 2024 at the age of 26. The club’s recruitment has otherwise focused almost exclusively on young talent, a policy that appeared set to continue this summer with the arrivals of teenagers Denner, Dastan Satpaev, and Geovany Quenda, as well as Emmanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg.

The reported pursuit of Xhaka represents a clear break from that model. The Swiss midfielder joined Sunderland last summer in a surprise move from Bayer Leverkusen and proved to be one of the signings of the season, playing a central role as the newly-promoted Black Cats finished seventh and secured a place in next season’s Europa League.

The Alonso connection is central to the story. The Spaniard managed Xhaka at Leverkusen during their historic 2023/24 campaign, in which the club went the entire Bundesliga season unbeaten and completed a domestic double. Alonso is now understood to be keen on a reunion at Stamford Bridge.

However, any deal faces a significant obstacle. According to the BBC, Sunderland are strongly resistant to selling their captain and have made clear that Xhaka is not available. He still has two years remaining on his contract at the Stadium of Light, giving the Championship club considerable leverage in any negotiations.

Whether Chelsea’s willingness to bend their own transfer rules will be enough to prise Xhaka away from a club that has built much of its identity around him remains to be seen.