Xabi Alonso is believed to want a reunion with Switzerland international Granit Xhaka at Stamford Bridge and has asked the club to move for the midfielder
Granit Xhaka has reportedly reached a full agreement with Chelsea over a summer move, paving the way for a potential reunion with Xabi Alonso. According to reports in Germany, the west London club are understood to have settled on personal terms with the midfielder.
Sky Sport Germany and Swiss outlet Blick have reported that the midfielder has verbally agreed to a move to Stamford Bridge. However, football.london understands that there has been no contact between Chelsea and Sunderland, while Sky Sports News reports that Sunderland are not entertaining offers for their captain.
The midfielder is understood to have been requested by Alonso following the pair’s time together at Bayer Leverkusen between 2023 and 2025. Xhaka spent two seasons working under Alonso, a period in which the club won the Bundesliga title without losing a single league match, lifted the DFB-Pokal, and reached the Europa League final.
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The former Arsenal star, 33, he has continued to impress since returning to the Premier League with Sunderland. Xhaka made 34 top‑flight appearances in their first season back, helping the newly-promoted side finish an impressive seventh.
Appointed captain last season, he remains central to the club’s plans and Sunderland have no desire nor need to consider a sale. Xhaka signed a long-term contract until 2028 upon arriving on Wearside last summer and quickly became a driving force at the Stadium of Light, setting standards with his performances and providing leadership off it.
His importance to Regis Le Bris’ team was clear when results dipped during his injury absence. Last season, he has been almost ever-present, featuring in 32 Premier League matches during a strong 2025/26 campaign.
Given his influence and the level of football he is still producing, it is highly unlikely Sunderland would consider letting him leave after just one year.
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Xhaka, meanwhile, holds Alonso in high regard, having become a key figure under him during their time together in the Bundesliga. “He is not a coach that is looking out for the names or status of players, in terms of who is older or younger, or who has played more games,” Xhaka previously said.
“During the week, he is thinking about who deserves to play at the weekend because they are training well. He gives every player the chance to prove their importance to the team. I think to manage this is so difficult because you have different types of characters and nationalities, different languages.
“But he has this experience as a player to give confidence to everyone. That’s why we performed like this as well.”
It remains to be seen whether the former Arsenal star, who spent seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium, will complete a move across London to join their rivals in blue.
Xhaka is currently away on World Cup duty with Switzerland, who have finished top of their group and qualified for the round of 32.
