Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has confirmed that Granit Xhaka will not be leaving the club, following Chelsea's failed £8million bid earlier this summer. The Black Cats rejected the offer from the Blues, who were hoping to reunite Xhaka with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.
Xhaka's Future Closed
When asked about Xhaka's future after Sunderland's pre-season defeat to Liverpool, Le Bris stated: "No, this topic is closed." He added: "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."
Xhaka's Commitment to Sunderland
The Swiss international had initially appeared to leave the door open during the World Cup, saying: "That's not my job [to talk about a potential move to Chelsea]. I have my management for that. I want to concentrate fully on the World Cup." However, shortly after, he committed his future to the club. Xhaka said: "Sunderland has been my home since day one. We are all very happy. I've decided to stay where I am; the most important thing is family. I'm ready to make history with them."
Xhaka, 33, joined Sunderland last summer from Bayer Leverkusen, having helped the German side win the Bundesliga. It marked his return to the Premier League after a spell at Arsenal. In his debut season at the Stadium of Light, he made 36 appearances and scored one goal, helping Sunderland secure a Europa League spot.
Sunderland's Transfer Window Outlook
Sunderland have had a quiet summer so far, with only Thomas Meunier arriving on a free transfer. When asked if fans could expect more business, Le Bris said: "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."
