Chelsea's £8 million bid for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been firmly rejected, with manager Regis Le Bris insisting the transfer is no longer on the table.
Xhaka, who joined Sunderland last summer, helped the club to a surprise seventh-place finish and European qualification. The midfielder, who previously spent seven years at Arsenal and won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, initially appeared tempted by a reunion with Alonso at Chelsea.
However, Sunderland rebuffed the approach and Xhaka has since recommitted to the north-east club.
Le Bris told reporters: 'No, this topic is closed. He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland. He wants to make the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain. A great leader.'
Quiet transfer window ahead
Le Bris also indicated that Sunderland's transfer activity this summer will be far more subdued than last year's overhaul, when 14 new players arrived. So far only full-back Thomas Meunier has joined.
Le Bris added: 'It's going to be quiet. Under the radar, right? Because I think we are working hard behind the scenes, and it's really important to be quiet because otherwise, it's a mess. And we are looking at probably a different transfer window if you compare with last season. We had to sign 14 new players. That won't be the case this year. We'll see what will happen.'
