Granit Xhaka, who captained Sunderland to a seventh-placed Premier League finish and a Europa League berth last season, has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea — in a dramatic reversal of the stance he took just weeks ago.

According to Sky Germany, Chelsea have reached a full verbal agreement with the 33-year-old Switzerland international and are now in direct talks with Sunderland over a transfer fee. The move would reunite Xhaka with Xabi Alonso, who was appointed Chelsea head coach at the end of the season after replacing Enzo Maresca — dismissed in April — following his own departure from Real Madrid in January.

The reunion Alonso wants

Alonso's most celebrated managerial achievement remains the unbeaten Bundesliga title he won with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24, a campaign in which Xhaka started 50 matches across all competitions and was central to everything Leverkusen built. The Spaniard is now determined to bring that trusted partnership to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's summer transfer activity has already been significant. Left-back Marc Cucurella has joined Real Madrid, while midfielder Enzo Fernandez has also been linked with a move away from the club. Alonso is understood to be targeting experienced additions as he reshapes the squad.

Xhaka's U-turn

The timing is striking given Xhaka's recent comments. Speaking to Swiss outlet Blick ahead of the FIFA World Cup, he insisted he was not thinking about a transfer at all.