Régis Le Bris has moved to quash transfer conjecture over Granit Xhaka, insisting the Switzerland international will remain at Sunderland despite reports Chelsea lodged a bid.
Manager rules out sale
Speaking to reporters after Sunderland’s pre-season match against Liverpool in the United States, Le Bris was unequivocal about the club’s stance.
"No, this topic is closed. He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland. He wants to make the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain. Great leader."
According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea submitted an offer of around £8 million for the 33-year-old midfielder. Sunderland, however, have maintained that Xhaka is not for sale and that he remains central to their plans.
Why Xhaka matters to Sunderland
Xhaka arrived at the Stadium of Light from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and quickly became a pivotal figure on Wearside. His presence in midfield helped Sunderland surpass pre-season expectations, culminating in a seventh-place Premier League finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa League in their first season back in the top flight.
The Switzerland international also featured for his country at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, making six appearances as they reached the quarter-finals.
Summer approach likely to be restrained
Le Bris signalled that Sunderland’s transfer activity this summer will be markedly quieter than the large-scale rebuilding work carried out after promotion.
- Recruitment approach: Le Bris said the club plans to operate under the radar, conducting business quietly to avoid disruption.
- First-team stability: Retaining leaders such as Xhaka appears to be a priority as the club prepares for European football.
- Market interest: Despite external interest, Sunderland have so far resisted offers for key players.
Le Bris stressed the importance of discretion during the window, suggesting any additions or departures will not be conducted in the glare of publicity.
Summary of the situation
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Granit Xhaka |
| Age | 33 |
| Reported bid | £8 million (Evening Standard) |
| Club stance | Not for sale, topic closed (Régis Le Bris) |
| Last season | 7th in Premier League; UEFA Europa League qualification |
| International duty | Featured six times in FIFA World Cup for Switzerland |
For supporters on Wearside, the message from the manager is clear: the club views Xhaka as a cornerstone for the forthcoming campaign. With European fixtures to navigate and domestic expectations elevated after a successful return to the Premier League, keeping experienced leaders appears to be a deliberate choice by the Sunderland hierarchy.
Any future developments will be followed closely, but for now the issue has been closed publicly by Sunderland’s head coach.
