Granit Xhaka is reportedly on the verge of a summer transfer to Chelsea. According to Sky Sport, an agreement has already been reached between the player and the club.
This potential move would reunite two key figures from Bayer Leverkusen’s sensational 2024 championship-winning team at Stamford Bridge: coach Xabi Alonso and playmaker Xhaka.
As reported by kicker, citing Swiss broadcaster blue Sport, negotiations between Xhaka’s current club, AFC Sunderland, and Chelsea are already well underway.
Sunderland is reportedly seeking €35 to €40 million for the 33-year-old midfielder, whom they acquired from Leverkusen for €15 million just a year ago.
Granit Xhaka: Indispensable for Sunderland and Switzerland
Xhaka was an undisputed starter and leader for the Premier League newcomers, who, thanks in no small part to the Swiss international, comfortably secured their league status.
At the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Xhaka played all three group stage matches for Switzerland, playing over 90 minutes in each. He scored a penalty in the 4-1 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Swiss topped their group ahead of co-hosts Canada. Their opponent in the round of 16 is yet to be determined.
Granit Xhaka and Xabi Alonso Made History in Leverkusen
Like Xhaka, Alonso also left Leverkusen last summer to join his former club Real Madrid. However, he was dismissed in January after just 34 competitive games. For the upcoming season, the Basque coach will take over Chelsea, a team that finished last season without a trophy and failed to qualify for any European competition.
In Leverkusen, Xhaka, alongside players like Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah, won the double under Alonso in the 2023/24 season. They made Bundesliga history by winning the German championship for the first time without a single defeat.
Granit Xhaka: Key Career Stages and Statistics
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Sunderland | 36 | 1 | 6 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 99 | 6 | 9 |
| FC Arsenal | 297 | 23 | 29 |
| Bor. Mönchengladbach | 149 | 9 | 8 |
| FC Basel | 67 | 3 | 7 |
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