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Chelsea news: Granit Xhaka signing 'would be a radical shift in transfer policy'

BBC Published Jun 29, 2026 Reviewed Jun 30, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Xhaka’s transfer from Bayer Leverkusen cost £17 million.

17 GBP million · transfer fee

Xhaka is under contract with Sunderland until 2028.

2028 year · contract end year

Granit Xhaka will be 34 years old in September.

34 years · Xhaka's age

Sunderland finished seventh in the league to qualify for the Europa League.

7 · league position

Sunderland rejected Chelsea's £8m bid for midfielder Granit Xhaka.

8 £ · bid for Granit Xhaka Sunderland, football club

Chelsea value Enzo Fernandez at about £120m.

about 120 £ · Enzo Fernandez valuation Chelsea, football club

Chelsea have fielded the youngest team in the Premier League for the past two seasons and have not selected a player aged 30 or over.

2 seasons · seasons Chelsea, club

Xhaka is under contract at Sunderland until 2028, joined for £17m from Bayer Leverkusen, and helped Sunderland finish seventh.

2028 year · contract17 m · move7 position · Black Cats

Chelsea value Enzo Fernandez at about £120 million.

about 120 GBP million · player valuation Chelsea, football club

For Chelsea, any successful move for Granit Xhaka - who Sunderland have said is not for sale after rejecting the Blues' £8m bid for the midfielder - would be a radical shift in transfer policy.

Chelsea have fielded the youngest team in the Premier League for the past two seasons and have not not selected a player aged 30 or over during that period. Xhaka turns 34 in September.

Members of the club's leadership, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, acknowledge that adjustments are needed to improve their recruitment.

Some of the criticism has centred on a perceived lack of leadership and concerns over dressing-room culture, which is something former Arsenal captain Xhaka received widespread praise for helping to build at newly promoted Sunderland last season.

The Switzerland international, who is under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2028, played a key role following a £17m move from Bayer Leverkusen as the Black Cats finished seventh to qualify for the Europa League.

A move for a midfielder has long been part of Chelsea's plans this summer, and comes amid growing expectation that Enzo Fernandez could join Real Madrid.

Chelsea have not received a formal approach for the Argentina international and value him at about £120m. However, sources in Spain suggest there is internal support at Real Madrid for a move, including from club president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho.

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