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Cole Palmer has seemingly shown his approval for Chelsea’s unexpected pursuit of former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, as new head coach Xabi Alonso begins implementing changes at Stamford Bridge. Reports indicate that the Blues are in talks to bring the Swiss international back to London from Sunderland, favouring experience over youth in their latest recruitment strategy.

Palmer reacts to Xhaka transfer speculation

The Chelsea star appeared to express enthusiasm for the potential signing of Xhaka. The England international engaged with online reports linking the former Arsenal captain with a move to West London, specifically reacting to an update from Fabrizio Romano suggesting Xhaka could become a “surprise addition” to the squad.

Palmer’s social media interaction has sparked excitement among Chelsea supporters, especially as the club transitions towards a more pragmatic approach under Alonso. His public endorsement, through a simple “like”, indicates that he would welcome the leadership and experience Xhaka could bring to the Premier League campaign.

Alonso eyes reunion with Sunderland midfielder

The reported interest in Xhaka is rooted in his successful past collaboration with Alonso, during their time together at Bayer Leverkusen, where the midfielder played a key role in the club’s historic title-winning season.

The 33-year-old has spent the past year at Sunderland, earning widespread praise for captaining the side to a commendable seventh-place finish and securing European football.

Despite his age and a long-term deal in the North East, sources suggest Chelsea have initiated discussions with Xhaka’s representatives and submitted an official bid, which has reportedly been turned down by the Black Cats.

Seeking leadership at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s pursuit of an experienced figure like Xhaka marks a departure from the club’s recent youth-focused transfer policy. Following a disappointing 10th-place finish last season, the need for leadership and strategic control in midfield has become increasingly evident.

Having previously thrived—and at times struggled—under the London spotlight during his Arsenal tenure, Xhaka is no stranger to the demands of English football’s top flight.

Should the move materialise, he would become the latest player to switch allegiances between the two capital rivals, joining others such as Jorginho and Kai Havertz who have made the same journey.

Major overhaul on the horizon

The potential deal for Xhaka comes amid expectations of a major midfield reshuffle at Chelsea this summer. With Real Madrid reportedly showing strong interest in Enzo Fernandez, acquiring a seasoned midfielder would offer Alonso’s side much-needed balance and resilience.

Although Sunderland have publicly maintained that their captain is not available for transfer, the appeal of reuniting with Alonso and returning to compete at the highest level in London could ultimately tempt Xhaka into making the move.