Régis Le Bris says Chelsea’s pursuit of Sunderland captain Xhaka is ‘closed’

<ul><li><p>Le Bris: ‘Granit wants to stay in Sunderland’</p></li><li><p>Xabi Alonso managed midfielder at Leverkusen</p></li></ul><p>Régis Le Bris has declared Chelsea’s pursuit of Granit Xhaka “closed” and insisted there is no prospect of Sunderland selling their influential captain this summer.</p><p>Xhaka played a major role in Sunderland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/sunderland-chelsea-premier-league-match-report">qualifying for the Europa League</a> on their return to the Premier League last season, prompting Chelsea to make an £8m bid for the 33-year-old this month. Xabi Alonso, the new Chelsea manager, is keen to be reunited with his former midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/26/regis-le-bris-says-chelseas-pursuit-of-sunderland-captain-xhaka-is-closed">Continue reading...</a>