Sunderland have made clear that experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka is not available for transfer after Chelsea entered talks with the player’s representatives over a potential move.
The Switzerland international, aged 33, is contracted at the Stadium of Light until 2028 and was instrumental in helping Sunderland qualify for European football last season.
Chelsea have made contact with Xhaka’s camp from Stamford Bridge, though sources inside Sunderland have yet to formally acknowledge those discussions.
Xhaka is understood to be open to a reunion with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, having won the Bundesliga together at the German club in 2024.
Despite the player’s reported openness to a move, personal terms between Xhaka and Chelsea have not yet been agreed.
Sunderland secured their Europa League place at Chelsea’s expense on the final day of last season, and the club face no financial pressure to sell their most influential players.
The former Arsenal captain missed just four league games for the Wearside club, captaining Regis Le Bris’ side to a seventh-place finish and earning widespread praise in the process.
For Chelsea, successfully completing a deal would represent a significant departure from recent transfer policy, given Xhaka will turn 34 in September and the club have fielded the Premier League’s youngest squad for each of the past two seasons.
Chelsea have not selected a player aged 30 or over during that period, making any move for Xhaka a notably bold shift in recruitment philosophy.
Members of the club’s leadership, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, have acknowledged that adjustments are needed to improve the way Chelsea approach their transfer business.
Some criticism of the club has focused on a perceived lack of leadership and dressing-room culture concerns, areas where Xhaka received considerable recognition for his influence at Sunderland.
A move for a central midfielder has long been part of Chelsea’s summer planning, with expectations growing that Enzo Fernandez could yet depart for Real Madrid.
Chelsea have not received a formal approach for the Argentina international and value him at around £120m, though sources in Spain indicate internal support at Real Madrid for a deal, including from president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are set to finalise the signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, while several first-team players including Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Tosin Adarabioyo all face uncertain futures at the club.
Defender Marc Cucurella has already completed his move to Real Madrid, further underlining the scale of change expected at Stamford Bridge this summer.
