Granit Xhaka explains decision to reject Chelsea transfer

Granit Xhaka says Chelsea’s interest in the summer was a ‘big privilege’ (The Sports Agents)

Granit Xhaka has described Chelsea’s interest in the summer transfer window as a ‘big privilege’ but insists he had no intention of quitting Sunderland.

After leaving Arsenal in 2023, Xhaka became a pivotal player in Xabi Alonso’s side at Bayer Leverkusen which went 51 games unbeaten and won the German league and cup double the following year.

Alonso was keen to be reunited with Xhaka at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea’s £8 million bid was rejected by Sunderland in June.

Xhaka, meanwhile, is adamant that he did not join Sunderland with a view to staying for just 12 months.

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When asked about Chelsea’s interest, Xhaka said on The Sports Agents podcast: ‘Last season, when I signed the contract here, there was a plan behind the scenes, and the plan was to stick to this project, to believe in this project and to work for this project.

‘And I always say to myself and to the people around, I didn’t come here for one season.

Granit Xhaka was a key part of Xabi Alonso’s title-winning side at Bayer Leverkusen (Getty)

‘Of course, it’s a big privilege for myself that Xabi Alonso, who I worked with, wanted me again. It’s a big privilege that a football club like Chelsea want a player, nearly 34 years old.

‘But I still have contact with all my coaches. It doesn’t mean when you have contact with the coach that there is something behind [it]. There was something behind, yes, for sure, but my commitment to the club was straight forward.

‘When I spoke with the owner of Sunderland, I told him from the beginning, I don’t have the feeling that this project is done yet, and this is my motivation, that’s why they put me here and that’s why I’m still here to get to the next step.