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Sunderland Reject Chelsea's Opening Bid for Granit Xhaka - Shock Fee Details Revealed
- Sunderland insist captain Granit Xhaka is not for sale this summer, rejecting Chelsea's reported interest in the midfielder after Standard Sport revealed the approach on Wednesday.
- Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso drove the pursuit, having worked with Xhaka during Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga title-winning campaign in 2024 and officially taking the reins on July 1.
- Chelsea's hierarchy concluded the squad needs greater leadership; Xhaka's age and two-year contract influenced the fee offer despite the club signing young players almost exclusively since the 2022 BlueCo takeover.
- Sunderland have a "concrete interest" in signing Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde as a potential replacement, though both Sunderland and Brighton reportedly prepare to pay a "substantial fee" for the 22-year-old midfielder.
- Bogarde made 44 appearances for Villa last season as they finished fourth in the Premier League, featuring 13 times in the Europa League before the club's title-winning campaign.
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28 Articles
Sunderland EchoReposted by 
The Shields Gazette
The Shields GazetteSunderland reject Chelsea's opening bid for Granit Xhaka - shock fee details revealed
Sunderland are facing a fight to hold on to their captain and talisman this summer
·Sunderland, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
13%
C 62%
R 25%
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