Sunderland reject Chelsea's £8m bid for Xhaka, ending Alonso's reunion plan

Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea tenure has suffered its first significant setback after Sunderland rejected an £8 million bid for Granit Xhaka and the midfielder reaffirmed his commitment to the Championship club, ending Chelsea’s pursuit before it could properly begin.

Alonso had hoped to reunite with Xhaka, one of his most trusted lieutenants during their time together at Bayer Leverkusen, where the Swiss international was central to the club’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning campaign in 2023-24. Sunderland are reported to have viewed Chelsea’s opening offer as disrespectful given that Xhaka, 33, is contracted at the Stadium of Light until summer 2028.

“Following discussions, he has pledged his commitment to Sunderland and is set to remain at the Stadium of Light, where he is considered a key figure,” The Athletic reported.

Although Xhaka was said to be enthused by the prospect of linking up with Alonso again, the midfielder has chosen to honour his obligations to Sunderland, where his influence has been equally transformative. After joining last summer, he helped the Black Cats secure Europa League qualification — a remarkable achievement for a club still outside the Premier League.

The failed move underlines the challenge facing Alonso as he attempts to reshape Chelsea in the image of his Leverkusen side. His appointment as manager — rather than head coach — was notable precisely because it signalled a shift in Chelsea’s transfer philosophy under owner BlueCo. Since Todd Boehly’s 2022 takeover, the club had focused almost exclusively on acquiring young talent on long contracts, a strategy that drew widespread criticism. Alonso’s arrival was intended to bring greater sporting coherence to squad-building.

Chelsea have already made one signing under the new regime, with Italy international Marco Palestra arriving as part of the club’s early summer recruitment. But the collapse of the Xhaka deal means Alonso must now look elsewhere for the kind of experienced, high-press midfield anchor that defined his Leverkusen system.

Xhaka spent seven years at Arsenal before leaving for Leverkusen in 2023, so a return to London had a certain narrative logic. With that door now closed, Alonso faces the task of finding an alternative profile capable of anchoring his preferred style — and doing so in a transfer market that rarely offers straightforward solutions.