Sunderland has reportedly rejected an initial transfer bid from Chelsea concerning the Swiss midfielder, Granit Xhaka, signaling the club’s firm stance that the player is not available for sale. Chelsea’s interest appears linked to the arrival of new coach Xabi Alonso, who previously oversaw Xhaka’s successful period at Bayer Leverkusen. On Saturday, the London club submitted an offer valued at approximately 9 million euros for the 33-year-old.
While the amount was presented, Sunderland’s directors deemed the bid insufficient, characterizing it as a lack of respect for both the player and the club itself. The resistance from Sunderland underscores the club’s commitment to retaining Xhaka, who joined the squad last summer from Bayer Leverkusen. His initial transfer agreement was reported to be valued up to 20 million euros, inclusive of performance-related bonuses.
Upon his arrival, Xhaka was immediately designated the captain of the Sunderland team. The rejection of the Chelsea bid indicates that Sunderland intends to maintain the squad stability surrounding their captain. The development highlights a continued negotiation point regarding the future of the Swiss international, with the club prioritizing its current valuation of Xhaka over immediate external offers from prominent clubs like Chelsea.
Topics: #chelsea #sunderland #xhaka
