Chelsea have opened talks with the representatives of Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, though the Black Cats insist the Switzerland captain is not available for transfer.

Xhaka, 33, is contracted at Sunderland until 2028 and was a cornerstone of the side that secured European football last season — at Chelsea's expense on the final day of the Premier League campaign. Sources inside the Wearside club are adamant they have no intention of selling him.

The former Arsenal captain missed only four league matches for Sunderland, leading Regis Le Bris' squad to a seventh-place finish and earning widespread praise for the leadership and culture he helped build at the newly-promoted club. He is currently representing Switzerland at the World Cup.

Xabi Alonso connection fuels interest

Despite Sunderland's firm stance, Xhaka is understood to be personally open to the move, driven by the prospect of a reunion with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. The pair worked together at Bayer Leverkusen, where they claimed the Bundesliga title in 2024. No personal terms have yet been agreed between Xhaka and Chelsea.

Should the deal be completed, it would represent a significant departure from Chelsea's established recruitment model. The club have fielded the Premier League's youngest squad for the past two seasons and have not selected a player aged 30 or over during that period. Xhaka will turn 34 in September.

Co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali and other members of Chelsea's leadership have acknowledged that adjustments to the club's transfer approach are necessary, with criticism directed at a perceived lack of experience and dressing-room leadership within the squad.

Fernandez exit and further transfer movement

The pursuit of Xhaka comes against a backdrop of uncertainty surrounding Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea have not received a formal bid for the Argentina international, whom they value at around £120 million, but sources in Spain indicate that Real Madrid — including club president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho — have internal support for making a move.

Chelsea are also set to finalise the signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, while the futures of several squad members remain unresolved. Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Tosin Adarabioyo are among those whose situations are yet to be clarified heading into the transfer window.