Granit Xhaka transfer news: Chelsea interested in signing Sunderland midfielder to reunite him with Xabi Alonso

Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.

There has been no club-to-club contact and Sunderland would not welcome any offers, with the midfielder not for sale.

Xhaka is one of the midfield options Chelsea are looking at as they want to buy experienced players with proven Premier League experience.

Xhaka turns 34 in September so Chelsea would not pay over the odds.

Sunderland signed him for £13m from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and he played a key part in not only keeping the club in the Premier League, but qualifying for the Europa League.

Xhaka made 34 appearances in the league last season, scoring once and providing six assists. He left Leverkusen after playing 99 times and winning the Bundesliga under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.

Xhaka was also keen for a move back to London at that time, with West Ham an option, but decided against pursuing a move.

Before his move to Germany, he spent seven seasons at Arsenal, making 297 appearances and scoring 23 goals.