Fabrizio Romano Explains Why Granit Xhaka 'Wants Chelsea' Move Amid Sunderland Exit Shock

In the most shocking transfer twist of the summer window so far, Sunderland could be set to lose captain Granit Xhaka this summer, with their Premier League rivals Chelsea attempting to bring the Swiss captain to Stamford Bridge. 

Recently, reports emerged indicating that Chelsea have bid around £26m for Sunderland skipper Xhaka, who has just captained the newly-promoted Black Cats to a seventh-placed finish and qualification for the Europa League in his first season at the Stadium of Light. 

Following the bombshell announcement, further reports emerged from the likes of Sky Sports News and reputable local Sunderland media, outlining that “Sunderland would not welcome any offers for Xhaka” in the summer transfer window. 

Given his importance to the Sunderland project as the skipper and standout player, the veteran midfielder is considered not for sale, with the Stadium of Light hierarchy under no pressure to sell their 2025/26 Player of the Season, given that he remains under contract until the summer of 2028.

Sunderland fans will be inevitably be fearing the potential of losing their marquee man to a league rival, but their rampant anxieties will have only been heightened with Xhaka’s brother and last season’s RB Leipzig loanee Lutsharel Geertruida liking Instagram posts suggesting that the deal is coming.

Despite Xhaka suggesting this summer that he was not considering an exit from Sunderland, the soon-to-be 34-year-old appears to have been swayed towards Stanford Bridge following Chelsea’s appointment of Xabi Alonso, his former head coach at Bayer Leverkusen where they won an unbeaten Bundesliga title together.

Xhaka’s impending exit will leave a bitter taste in the mouth of all Sunderland supporters who adored the Swiss midfield metronome so deeply for his efforts last season, and with the move seemingly imminent, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has explained all of the factors as to why the Swiss stalwart is set to turn his back on the Black Cats after just one year on Wearside. 

In the wake of the shock transfer revelation, football journalist and transfer insider Romano explained via his YouTube channel that the catalyst for Xhaka’s decision to leave Sunderland for Stamford Bridge is the Blues’ appointment of Xabi Alonso. 

Last summer, Xhaka chose to depart Bayer Leverkusen in the wake of Alonso’s move to Real Madrid, and is now set to reunite with the Spaniard in London. 

Romano explained: “The surprise signing in midfield for Chelsea could be Granit Xhaka.

"Yes, because the Swiss midfielder from Sunderland has made it very clear to the club that he wants to join Chelsea.

Additionally, Romano reports that there is a wish from Xhaka to return to London, where he lived for nine years during his 297-game stint at Arsenal, Chelsea’s bitter rivals, between 2016 and 2023.

“Granit Xhaka wants to join Chelsea. He has already informed Sunderland, through his agents, of his desire to move back to London.”, Romano added. 

“It's a personal decision involving his family. He previously lived in London while playing for Arsenal, and he wants to return there with his wife and family.”

On the Alonso factor, he added: “Another reason is Xabi Alonso. Their relationship is fantastic. They worked together at Bayer Leverkusen, where they enjoyed great success.

“Xhaka was effectively Alonso's leader on the pitch, so bringing him to Chelsea is considered a priority this summer.”

As things currently stand, it would appear that Xhaka, who is set to lead Switzerland into the knockout stages of the World Cup amidst the transfer saga, has indicated to Chelsea that he wishes to join from Sunderland.

Therefore, meaning that personal terms have been agreed between the parties behind his parent club's back, prior to the Black Cats accepting any bid from the Blues.

Consequently, Romano notes that “the main issue is reaching an agreement between the clubs”, given that Sunderland had planned for the 2026/27 season with Xhaka as their key cog and leader, so losing him would be a significant blow to the Black Cats' plans. 

Now, the deal hinges on transfer negotiations between Chelsea and Sunderland, with Xhaka's transfer fee the remaining stumbling block to the shock move. 

Chelsea appear to be unwilling to match Sunderland’s asking price, thought to be in the region of £25m-£35m, for the Black Cats captain, due to the midfielder turning 34-years-of-age in the early stages of next season.

If Xhaka is to engineer his shock exit from Sunderland and make the move south to Stamford Bridge, then the two Premier League sides will have to settle on a mutually agreed transfer fee, at the Black Cats' extreme behest.