Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.
There has been no contact between clubs and Sunderland would not accept any offer, as the midfielder is not for sale.
Xhaka is one of the midfield options being considered by Chelsea as they want to buy experienced players with proven Premier League experience.
Xhaka worked with Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen
Xhaka will turn 34 in September, so Chelsea would not pay more than expected.
Sunderland signed him for £13 million from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and he played a key role in not only keeping the club in the Premier League but also qualifying for the Europa League.
Xhaka played 34 games in the league last season, scoring one goal and providing six assists. He left Leverkusen after playing 99 times and winning the Bundesliga under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.
Xhaka was also interested in returning to London at the time, with West Ham as an option, but decided against it.
Before moving to Germany, he spent seven seasons at Arsenal, making 297 appearances and scoring 23 goals.
Palestra passes Chelsea medical
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the Transfer Talk Podcast, ESPN’s Sam Tighe explains why Marco Palestra is the perfect fit as a full-back for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea.
lecture frame He underwent his medical in Chelsea on Friday.
The right defender will join from Atalanta in a deal worth £43m.
Palestra, 21, arrived in London from Rome on Thursday night to finalize the move.
The Italian will become Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea manager.
Chelsea asks for Lacroix
Chelsea have asked about the signing Crystal Palace central defense Maxence Lacroix.
Alonso wants to sign a new centre-back this summer and Lacroix is one of several targets.
Meanwhile, the Italian side as They are very interested in signing the Chelsea center back Trevoh Chalobah.
However, it seems difficult for Como to reach an agreement and there are other clubs interested.
