Chelsea discover shock signing of Premier League rival midfielder as Xabi Alonso eyes reunion
Chelsea are exploring the prospect of signing Granit Xhaka from Sunderland this summer season, talkSPORT understands.
New Blues boss Xabi Alonso labored with Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen, with the pair reaching an unbeaten title-winning season in 2024.
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The Swiss midfielder starred in Alonso’s Bundesliga success earlier than asking to return to the Premier League when he left.
And now, the 2 may mix once more at Stamford Bridge, with Xhaka eager on the transfer and linking up along with his previous boss.
He performed a serious half in main Sunderland to European soccer of their first yr again within the top-flight since 2017.
He performed 34 league video games for the Black Cats after becoming a member of the membership final summer season, immediately making a huge effect on and off the pitch as they remarkably went on to complete seventh.
However after only a yr on the membership, the ex-Arsenal star may now be on the transfer, becoming a member of his former London rivals, Chelsea – which is one thing that Cole Palmer likes the thought of, as he was noticed liking a publish because the information of the Blues’ curiosity unfold.
It is understood, nonetheless, that Sunderland wish to preserve him and they don’t seem to be beneath any stress to promote him.
Chelsea worth Xhaka at far lower than a number of the numbers recommended, given he’s 33 and has two years left on his contract.
The Blues gained’t pay above the percentages and produce other midfield targets as nicely. Alex Scott and Adam Wharton are each appreciated.
One other midfield signing may additionally result in Enzo Fernández getting his transfer to Actual Madrid that he has desired.
Though the membership is not going to let Fernandez go for lower than his £120m asking value.
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A ‘dream’ reunion
Xhaka has spoken brazenly about his pleasure of enjoying beneath Alonso, admitting his admiration quickly after becoming a member of Leverkusen.
After signing for the German aspect, he mentioned: “He was a task mannequin for each younger participant and nonetheless is immediately.
“He has an awesome persona and has had an awesome profession. After I first had him on the telephone, it was particular for me.”
And talking a few months into his spell at Leverkusen, he admitted: “It is a dream for me to play beneath Xabi Alonso.
“He was a world-class participant in the identical place as me – I performed in opposition to him myself.
“He offers me issues that I can take. We have now an awesome workforce, an awesome coach and an awesome mentality. We work arduous day by day and you’ll see the outcomes on the bottom.”
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Xhaka might be becoming a member of a Chelsea squad that has been by loads of dressing room points in the previous couple of months.
However Alonso could be the person to repair that, with Xhaka praising him for his method on the finish of final yr.
The 33-year-old mentioned: “He had no expertise on the massive stage. What he did have was persona. When he walked into the dressing room and began speaking, everybody was utterly centered.
“Each phrase he mentioned was true. He wasn’t faux. He was genuine. He solely cares about what he sees on the pitch. When you prepare nicely, he’ll provide you with an opportunity.”
Xhaka is what Chelsea have lacked
Former Chelsea defender and talkSPORT host Jason Cundy has weighed in on the information of the Blues’ curiosity in Xhaka.
And he thinks that it might be a intelligent signing, saying: “He [Alonso] is aware of him, it is somebody we have wanted.
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“Nevertheless it’s simply odd that we have gone for it now, it is like we have gone from one excessive to the opposite. However we do want somebody with an skilled head in the course of the park.
“He is not higher than Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, however we now have lacked an actual head and voice within the dressing room.
“The connection between Alonso and Xhaka, that is it. He is saying he is my basic, what he did for me to go and win the Bundesliga, that is the explanation why he is coming in.
“Is he going to play each recreation? In all probability not. Is he going to be an skilled head in there? I perceive the thought course of behind it.”
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