Granit Xhaka confirms call as Sunderland linked with Italy-based duo

GRANIT XHAKA has confirmed he will be remaining with Sunderland this summer and expressed a desire to “make history” with the Black Cats rather than consider moving to Chelsea.

Xhaka’s future was thrown into doubt at the end of last month when Chelsea tabled an £8m bid for his services amid strong speculation that the Black Cats skipper had expressed a desire to move to Stamford Bridge and reunite with his former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.

The Sunderland hierarchy rejected Chelsea’s initial offer, but the Blues had been expected to return with an improved bid for Xhaka, who has two years left to run on his deal at the Stadium of Light.

The situation changed again at the end of last week when senior Sunderland sources insisted the club had categorically ruled out any chance of selling Xhaka, stressing that the 33-year-old had renewed his commitment to the club after discussions with key members of the executive team.

Xhaka has now confirmed he will be remaining on Wearside this summer and outlined the extent to which he and his family are happy with the way things have turned out in the last couple of weeks.

Speaking in the wake of Switzerland’s World Cup penalty shootout win over Colombia that set up a quarter-final against Argentina in Kansas City, Xhaka said: “Sunderland has been my home since day one.

“We are all very happy. I have decided to stay where I am. The most important thing is family – I am ready to make history with them.”

Retaining Xhaka was a major success for Sunderland’s executive team, led by majority owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and director of football Florent Ghisolfi, with attention now having switched back to the transfer market.

The Black Cats are yet to make their first summer signing, although the Italian media are reporting that the club have made an inquiry over €35m-rated Roma winger Matias Soule, who Ghisolfi helped to sign for Roma from Juventus in 2024.

Italian reports have also suggested that Sunderland have held talks with Parma over centre-half Mariano Troilo, who was reportedly the subject of a failed €20m bid from Fulham earlier this month.