Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has moved to extinguish speculation linking club captain Granit Xhaka with a summer transfer to Chelsea, declaring the topic closed after an approach from Stamford Bridge.
Club stance: captain staying put
Le Bris told reporters following Sunderland’s 4-2 pre‑season defeat to Liverpool that the Switzerland midfielder will remain at the Stadium of Light. The French coach described Xhaka as a committed figure for the club and an important leader in the dressing room.
"No, this topic is closed. He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland,"
He added that the player wants to "make the future of Sunderland" and praised him as a "good captain" and "great leader."
Background to the approach
Reports say Chelsea submitted an offer of around £8 million earlier in the transfer window, on the instruction of their incoming manager. Sunderland rejected the bid, which the club regarded as insufficient, and Xhaka has publicly reiterated his commitment.
Le Bris also suggested supporters should expect modest activity in the market, contrasting with last summer’s heavy recruitment drive. He said the club intends to operate quietly and avoid public distraction while work continues behind the scenes.
- Manager: Regis Le Bris
- Player: Granit Xhaka (captain)
- Reported bid: around £8 million — rejected by Sunderland
How this fits with Sunderland’s transfer plans
Le Bris indicated this window will probably look different to last year, when Sunderland signed 14 players as part of a substantial rebuild. He said the club are aiming to be "under the radar" and that a quieter summer is expected.
"It’s going to be quiet. Under the radar, right? I won’t give you information. Because I think we are working hard behind the scenes, and it’s really important to be quiet because otherwise it’s a mess,"
The manager emphasised that transfer work is ongoing but intentionally shielded from public discussion to maintain focus and avoid disruption.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Contract length | Until 2028 |
| 2025/26 league appearances | 34 |
| 2025/26 goal contributions | 1 goal, 6 assists |
For supporters, the message from the club hierarchy is clear: their captain remains central to plans for the season ahead. Questions now turn to recruitment priorities elsewhere in the squad and whether Sunderland will act quietly, as Le Bris suggests, or be drawn into further transfer headlines.
The confirmation that Xhaka will not be moving should provide short‑term reassurance to fans concerned about losing a senior figure who played a pivotal role as the team secured European qualification last season.
