Chelsea FC's pursuit of Granit Xhaka is 'closed', according to Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris. The Blues had made an £8m bid for the 33-year-old midfielder this month.

What happened?

Sunderland immediately rejected Chelsea FC's bid, with Le Bris insisting there is no prospect of selling their influential captain this summer.

Xhaka played a major role in Sunderland qualifying for the Europa League on their return to the Premier League last season.

Why it matters for Chelsea FC

Xabi Alonso, the new Chelsea FC manager, is keen to be reunited with his former midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen. However, Le Bris has emphatically denied that a deal could be revisited before the end of the transfer window.

As of the final 2025 table, Chelsea FC finished 10th in the Premier League, 33 points behind leaders Arsenal, with 52 points from 38 games, and a recent form of LWDLL.

What comes next?

Le Bris anticipates further additions to the Sunderland squad, but admits this summer will be nothing like the rebuilding work before Sunderland's return to the top flight 12 months ago. With the added demands of European football next season, Sunderland have been quiet in the transfer market, signing only the experienced Belgium defender Thomas Meunier on a free from Lille so far.

Chelsea FC will have to look elsewhere to strengthen their squad, with the transfer window still open. The Blues have scored 58 goals this season, with a goal difference of +6.