CHELSEA have lined up a shock move to bring Granit Xhaka to Stamford Bridge, according to reports.
The Switzerland World Cup star enjoyed a stellar year back in the Premier League playing for Sunderland.
Granit Xhaka has emerged as a shock transfer target for Chelsea Credit: Getty
Xhaka, 33, played 36 times for the Black Cats last season, including 34 times in the English top flight as the club finished an impressive seventh place immediately following their promotion from the Championship.
The former Arsenal captain – who had that title stripped away by Unai Emery following a public spats with Gooners before redeeming himself at the North London club under Mikel Arteta – is said to have already verbally accepted personal terms over a move.
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the Blues are in contact with Sunderland as they attempt to strike a deal.
Bidding for Xhaka represents a shift away from Chelsea’s previous transfer strategy under BlueCo which saw them hoover up a swathe of promising talent while neglecting already-proven assets.
That plan unravelled this season and saw the West Londoners finish a lowly-tenth place in the league.
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