Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris rules out Granit Xhaka move to Chelsea: ‘This topic is closed’

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has officially confirmed that captain Granit Xhaka will not be leaving the club this summer, declaring the rumors linking him to Chelsea as “closed.”

Xhaka, who joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen for £17.2 million ($22.9 million) last summer, played a pivotal role in the team’s successful campaign, helping them qualify for the Europa League.

Recent reports suggested that Chelsea was interested in acquiring the 33-year-old midfielder, who had previously worked with the club’s new manager Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. However, Sunderland has reiterated their desire to retain Xhaka.

After Sunderland’s 4-2 preseason loss to Liverpool in Nashville, Le Bris decisively addressed the speculation surrounding Xhaka’s future.

“No, this topic is closed,” Le Bris stated. “He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay. He wants to build the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain and a great leader.”

Following their promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs last season, Sunderland surprisingly finished seventh in the top flight, exceeding expectations.

Le Bris also spoke about Sunderland’s transfer strategy for the summer, indicating that it would be less hectic than the previous year when the club signed 14 new players. “It’s going to be quiet. I won’t give you information. We are working hard behind the scenes,” he added.

The coach emphasized the importance of discretion during this transfer window to avoid confusion. Fans are eager to see what the future holds for Sunderland as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

FAQs

Will Granit Xhaka leave Sunderland for Chelsea?

No, Regis Le Bris has confirmed that Xhaka will remain at Sunderland this summer.

What was Sunderland’s performance last season?

Sunderland achieved a seventh-place finish in the Premier League after returning via the playoffs.