Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has reaffirmed his commitment to the Black Cats after the club rejected an £8m bid from Chelsea, dealing a blow to manager Xabi Alonso’s hopes of reuniting with the midfielder he coached at Bayer Leverkusen. Sources at Sunderland told BBC Sport the 33-year-old is not for sale, and following discussions Xhaka has opted to remain at the Stadium of Light despite interest from the Blues. Chelsea, however, have not given up hope of landing the Switzerland international, with sources at Stamford Bridge insisting the former Arsenal midfielder is keen on a move to London. Xhaka, whose contract runs until 2028, helped Sunderland qualify for Europe for the first time in 53 years last season, making 34 Premier League appearances as the club finished seventh to earn a place in the Conference League. He is currently at the World Cup with Switzerland, where he has played every minute of their run to the last 16.
Across London, Fulham have entered the race to sign Crysencio Summerville from West Ham, according to the Guardian. The winger is expected to leave the relegated Hammers this summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United also monitoring the 24-year-old Netherlands international. Sources have suggested the firmest interest may come from an ambitious team outside the elite, as Fulham look to boost their wide options after losing Harry Wilson to Leeds United on a free transfer. Summerville impressed at the World Cup, scoring two goals in four games, though he missed a penalty in the shootout defeat to Morocco. He was one of West Ham’s best players last season, scoring seven goals in 10 games after Christmas to lift hopes of avoiding relegation, yet doubts remain over his consistency and physicality. The former Leeds winger missed much of the 2024-25 season with a hamstring injury and a chunk of last season with a calf problem.
“Granit Xhaka commits to Sunderland after Chelsea's £8m bid rejected; Fulham join race for West Ham's Crysencio Summerville.”
West Ham have already raised £85m by selling Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham, and the club hopes that cashing in on Summerville – valued at around £50m by Manchester United, according to the Mirror – will ease financial pressure to sell captain Jarrod Bowen, though interest in the striker from a host of Premier League sides persists. Elsewhere, Chelsea announced the signing of Marco Palestra and are targeting left-back Pep Chavarria to replace Marc Cucurella, but Rayo Vallecano are determined to keep him. Arsenal have shown tentative interest in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, valued at £60m, though the Gunners are reportedly unwilling to meet that price.