Story perspectives

Sunderland Rejects £8 M Chelsea Bid, Xhaka Stays

7/4/2026

Summary

Xhaka Stays

Sunderland rejected Chelsea's £8 million bid for captain Granit Xhaka and declared him “not for sale.”
Xhaka, who joined Sunderland for £17.5 million last summer and was named captain, said he will stay.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, Xhaka’s former Bayer Leverkusen coach, is preparing an improved offer after the rejection.
Sunderland views Xhaka as a key figure for its 2026–27 Premier League and Europa League campaign.

Summary

Sunderland Rejects

Sunderland’s board called Chelsea’s £8 million offer a “test of the club’s value” and warned cheap bids would damage growth plans.
Officials said losing Granit Xhaka now would erase the momentum built after securing European football.
Supporters voiced frustration that repeated “stepping-stone” sales have reset the club’s rebuilding process.
The club insisted future bids must match the true market price of an experienced, internationally-capped midfielder.

Summary

Chelsea Targets

Chelsea will not pay any price they cannot justify for midfield signings.
They target Alex Scott, whose youth has drawn Arsenal and Manchester United, raising his price.
Granit Xhaka is low-risk because he knows the Premier League and Xabi Alonso.
Enzo Fernández may leave if Chelsea sign a new midfielder, aiding his Real Madrid move.

History

Historical Context

In July 1996 Newcastle United, under chairman Sir John Hall, paid a world-record £15 million for striker Alan Shearer, a move that helped the club chase Champions League qualification throughout the mid-1990s. Sunderland’s board has now turned down Chelsea’s £8 million offer for captain Granit Xhaka, hoping that keeping a key player will similarly boost their 2026-27 league and Europa League ambitions.

1 of 4

Xhaka Stays

Sunderland rejected Chelsea's £8 million bid for captain Granit Xhaka and declared him “not for sale.”
Xhaka, who joined Sunderland for £17.5 million last summer and was named captain, said he will stay.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, Xhaka’s former Bayer Leverkusen coach, is preparing an improved offer after the rejection.
Sunderland views Xhaka as a key figure for its 2026–27 Premier League and Europa League campaign.

1 / 4