Chelsea's Pursuit of Sunderland Captain Xhaka Declared Closed

In a statement that may come as a relief to Sunderland fans, Régis Le Bris has confirmed that the club is not considering selling captain Granit Xhaka, despite a recent £8m bid from Chelsea. The 33-year-old midfielder played a pivotal role in Sunderland's return to the Premier League, helping the team secure a spot in the Europa League last season. This impressive performance has caught the attention of Chelsea's new manager, Xabi Alonso, who is reportedly keen to reunite with Xhaka, his former midfielder from his time at Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Le Bris has made it clear that Sunderland is not interested in selling Xhaka, effectively closing the door on Chelsea's pursuit of the midfielder. This decision suggests that the club values Xhaka's contributions and is committed to retaining his services for the upcoming season. Xhaka's influence on the team has been significant, and his presence is expected to be crucial in Sunderland's bid to maintain their Premier League status.

The confirmation that Sunderland will not be selling Xhaka is a boost for the club and its fans, who were worried about the prospect of losing their influential captain. With Xhaka set to remain at the club, Sunderland can now focus on preparing for the new season, with a strong squad and a sense of stability that comes with retaining a key player.