Xabi Alonso’s priority signing for his new Chelsea side is Granit Xhaka, however the owners of the club are fighting back against his desire to sign the Switzerland star.
Alonso has recognised Chelsea’s need for a leader and some experience in the first team squad, and believes the player who helped win him the treble at Bayer Leverkusen is the perfect man for the job.
Xhaka refused to comment on his future after Switzerland’s World Cup win over Algeria, but has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Blues.
DISCUSS: Granit Xhaka is Chelsea’s perfect summer signing 🔟
Chelsea owners in ‘tug-of-war’ with Xabi Alonso about signing Granit Xhaka
The club are further away from an agreement with Sunderland though. So far, Chelsea have only offered a fee far lower than what they are willing to accept.
Now, Luca Cerchione believes there is a ‘tug-of-war’ underway between Alonso and the owners of the club, who are far less keen on completing the signing.
He said: “Granit Xhaka would be outside Chelsea’s parameters, as for a footballer over 30, they would never invest 25 million pounds. For the boy, a real tug-of-war is underway between Xabi Alonso and the club: the manager, in fact, considers him essential to the project and insists on the purchase.
“The Blues don’t have to negotiate with Sunderland because they already know the valuation, but they’re deciding whether or not to indulge the new coach.”
The eldest player in the Chelsea squad right now is Tosin Adarabioyo, and even he is being linked with a move away from the club this summer.
This would only enhance their need to bring in an experienced head during this transfer window, and the effect he can have as a new player was on show as Sunderland achieved European qualification last season.
Chelsea would do well to not immediately frustrate their new manager too, especially after many doubted they would even be able to convince him to take over at Stamford Bridge in the first place.
He clearly came in with some assurances, and these need to be met in order for the relationship between all parties to get underway on the best foot.
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