Granit Xhaka is currently on international duty with Switzerland at the World Cup, and Chelsea have had a bit rejected for the Sunderland captain
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has dropped a subtle hint regarding Granit Xhaka’s future after engaging with an Instagram post from the Black Cats skipper amidst continued speculation surrounding his situation at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have turned down an £8m offer from Chelsea for the 33-year-old midfielder, with the club feeling affronted by the approach from Xabi Alonso’s outfit.
The new Blues manager is eager for a reunion with his former Bayer Leverkusen captain, and Xhaka is said to be keen on linking up with his previous boss once more.
Nevertheless, Sunderland’s position is unequivocal. Xhaka is not available for transfer and they will not consider any fresh offers following a woeful initial bid.
Xhaka is presently away on international duty with Switzerland at the World Cup, and remains concentrated on guiding his nation through the knockout rounds of the competition.
However, he has posted on social media showing himself relaxing with his wife and children in San Diego, California.
Xhaka captioned the photographs: “Moments that matter most [red loveheart emoji] #Gx34.”
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Louis-Dreyfus, who was instrumental in securing Xhaka’s signature last summer, has liked the post, with Sunderland supporters interpreting the social media interaction as an encouraging sign.
The Sunderland owner enjoys a strong relationship with Xhaka, having been pivotal in attracting the Swiss international to Wearside last summer.
Regis Le Bris shed light on Louis-Dreyfus’ pivotal role in last season’s transfer activity, and when elaborating on the process behind securing Xhaka’s signature, he commented: “The manager is important, we spoke about the game model and the way we want to play, our ambition and togetherness, so I had my role.
“Flo and Kristjaan have their role. And I think Kyril was really, really important in that process. Kyril was really involved, probably more than many owners in that process. Everyone had their own strengths and own role and in the end we succeeded.
“He was really important because for us it wasn’t a normal signing. It was something totally different and his involvement was crucial and massive.”
Xhaka himself paid warm tribute to Louis-Dreyfus in a rousing end-of-season address following the club’s qualification for the Europa League.
“First of all, thank you to the owner, thank you to Flo and thank you to the coach,” Xhaka declared on the final day of the campaign. “I want to say thank you because these three people, what they did with this football club, players, staff, everyone included with the club is f****** unbelievable.
“Massive thank you as well to you guys. Without your support, at home, away, this is not possible. I can promise you from my sude as the captain of this football club, this is just the beginning and we want more.”
