Granit Xhaka’s future has been the subject of transfer speculation over the last few days, with Chelsea making an £8million bid for the Sunderland star
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has delivered a brutal assessment of Chelsea following their attempt to sign Sunderland star Granit Xhaka in a cut-price deal.
The Switzerland international’s future has been the focus of widespread speculation over recent days, with a possible exit from the Stadium of Light dominating the headlines.
Xhaka has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea, with the Blues tabling an £8million offer for the Sunderland midfielder, which was promptly turned down.
The Black Cats are understood to have been left ‘insulted’ by the bid for Xhaka, who only arrived at the Stadium of Light from Bayer Leverkusen 12 months ago in a transfer worth £17.5million.
Chelsea have Xabi Alonso as their new manager, with their new boss having spent two years alongside Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen, which has sparked speculation that a move could materialise.
Xhaka still has two years left on the contract he penned to join Sunderland last summer, and was instrumental in helping the club secure seventh place in the Premier League and earn Europa League qualification.
Sunderland also finished two points above Chelsea in the standings, with the Stamford Bridge side ending up 10th and missing out on European football.
Shearer has outlined why he considers the bid from Chelsea to be “embarrassing” as the former Newcastle forward proceeded to criticise the Blues.
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“Sunderland bought Granit Xhaka for £17.5m. He was one of the best players in this Premier League last season, not only at Sunderland, but in the Premier League,” Shearer told Betfair.
“And Chelsea think they can come in and offer less than half of what they bought him for and think that’s acceptable? I mean, that’s bizarre to me.
“I understand that he might want to go, but if he wants to go and clearly his agent has done some talking to Chelsea, then I mean it’s a pretty embarrassing bid when a year earlier they paid £17.5million and he’s been one of the best players in the league.
“It’s embarrassing from Chelsea really.
“I mean, they’re clearly not getting him. I mean, why would you sell a player for less than half when he’s been one of the best players? I mean, it’s ridiculous.”
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