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Chelsea have made an opening bid worth £8 million to sign Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, according to journalist David Ornstein.
The west London giants are expected to change their transfer policy this summer, with a focus on experienced and ready-made signings.
New manager Xabi Alonso has personally recommended the Blues to land Xhaka from the Black Cats, but a deal is highly unlikely now.
Chelsea made a lowly £8m bid for the Switzerland international, which was immediately snubbed, given the Black Cats signed him for £17m.
The Wearside outfit have now clarified that they won’t entertain any more offers for the 33-year-old and he is not for sale this summer.
The news is a huge blow for Alonso, who was determined to reunite with Xhaka after their time together working at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spanish tactician believed Xhaka would be a proper leader in midfield, and will now need to pursue an alternative in the transfer market.
