Sunderland have been left insulted by Chelsea's derisory opening offer of £8million for captain Granit Xhaka, swiftly rejecting the approach and making it clear that any further bids will be rejected. The Swiss international, who turns 34 later this year, has two years left on his contract at the Stadium of Light and is understood to want to work with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso at Chelsea.
Club Stance Firm Amid Transfer Saga
Sunderland are under no pressure to sell their star man, but expect the transfer saga to rumble on. Red and white supporters have witnessed first-hand the turgid nature of modern-day transfer windows, with one report claiming the player 'is pushing for a move to Chelsea'. However, Xhaka has thus far been respectful of Sunderland and maintains a good relationship with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and head coach Regis Le Bris.
In a week where Chelsea have spoken about 'mutual respect' in agreeing compensation with Manchester City for former coach Enzo Maresca, they could do with paying Sunderland the same dues. An £8m bid for a player who has transformed the club and helped them qualify for the Europa League, regardless of his age, shows a severe lack of respect for the Black Cats. Sunderland were happy to allow Marc Guiu to return to Stamford Bridge when Chelsea were hit by an injury crisis in August last year, and believed they had a good working relationship with the Blues.
Xhaka's Commitment Questioned
If Chelsea are serious about signing Xhaka this summer, they need to get off their high horse and show some respect to a side that not only finished above them last season, but took maximum points from them. Sunderland's stance seems clear cut - they won't entertain any future offers - but as we know in football, things can change out of the club's control. Regardless of what happens, it's not a good look for Xhaka who gave a rousing speech about European qualification being just the start for Sunderland.
"First of all, thank you to the owner, thank you to Flo and thank you to the coach," he said on the pitch on the final day of the season. "I want to say thank you because these three people, what they did with this football club, players, staff, everyone included with the club is f------ unbelievable. Massive thank you as well to you guys. Without your support, at home, away, this is not possible. I can promise you from my side as the captain of this football club, this is just the beginning and we want more."
Leaving at the first opportunity would leave an awful taste in the mouth. All eyes are on Xhaka.
Talbi and Angulo Shine on International Stage
Chemsdine Talbi's liking for the big moments continues: Chelsea away, Newcastle United away and now on the big stage at the World Cup. His pinpoint cross for Issa Diop's injury time equaliser set up Morocco's dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands. Talbi also scored from the spot, helping Morocco dump the Netherlands out of the competition. He may not have started much at the tournament, but the young Sunderland winger has shown he's got the quality needed.
Fellow winger Nilson Angulo has been the standout performer for Ecuador at this summer's tournament. Injuries plagued his first few months on Wearside after arriving from Belgium. If Sunderland are able to consistently get end product from both players, expect them to find an entirely new level next season, just in time for a Europa League campaign.
Ghisolfi's Transfer Plan: Outgoings First
As expected, Sunderland have had a slow start to the summer transfer window with the World Cup taking precedence. The Premier League's big boys will act first, before Sunderland head into the market to make their moves. One thing that's clear is Sunderland need to clear the deck of fringe players who have no future at the club. Alan Browne, Aji Alese, Nazariy Rusyn, Luis Hemir Semedo, Abdoullah Ba are all expected to leave this summer, while Ahmed Abdullahi is another with long-term doubts over his future.
Youngster Eliezer Mayenda is attracting interest from clubs across Europe. Porto and Stade Rennais are interested in signing the Spanish youth international, with European reports claiming £25m would be enough to tempt Sunderland to sell a player with four years remaining on his Black Cats contract. Sporting director Florent Ghisolfi will be patient with his transfer plan with outgoings as much as incomings crucial.
