After a complicated season on a national and continental level, Chelsea have decided to get a makeover this summer. The London club first formalized the arrival of Xabi Alonso in mid-May, only a few months after his departure from Real Madrid, with the ambition to move forward and build a squad capable of quickly rebounding in the Premier League. With this in mind, the Blues will once again be ones to watch during the transfer market this summer.
In terms of departures, Chelsea have already let Marc Cucurella go to Real Madrid, while the name of Enzo Fernández is still insistently announced among the Merengues. In the direction of arrivals, on the other hand, the Blues are still silent, even if the arrival of Valentín Barco from Strasbourg is expected. In the meantime, another midfielder is very close to signing up for Chelsea. According to Sky GermanyGranit Xhaka has already reached a verbal agreement with the residents of Stamford Bridge with a view to a transfer.
Xabi Alonso insists on reuniting with his former captain
The media across the Rhine also reports that the personal conditions have already been validated. London leaders must now reach an agreement with Sunderland, with whom discussions have already started, in order to finalize the operation. A surprise recruit for the Londoners, while Xabi Alonso would have pushed internally to find a player he knows perfectly. The two men successfully collaborated at Bayer Leverkusen, where Xhaka was one of the great architects of the Bundesliga-German Cup double during the 2023-2024 season.
Accustomed to Premier League games, whether with the Gunners or Sunderland, whom he guided to a historic qualification for the Europa League, the Swiss international (149 caps) could bring his experience to a Chelsea squad losing momentum and in search of a leader. It remains to be seen whether Sunderland will agree to let go of their captain, who is currently playing in the 2026 World Cup with the Nati and whose contract expires in 2028.
