Chelsea waiting for Alonso to approve deal for Sunderland star after agent talks

Chelsea are set to consult new boss Xabi Alonso before attempting to sign a Sunderland star following agent talks, according to a new report.

Xabi Alonso set for involvement in Chelsea transfer plans

Alonso has not officially started work yet, and won’t until July 1, but his fingerprints are already being felt at Stamford Bridge.

As Fabrizio Romano reported at the weekend, the newly confirmed Chelsea manager will be heavily involved in the club’s summer transfer planning — a significant departure from the approach taken with previous coaches, who were often presented with signings rather than consulted on them.

Alonso’s four-year contract, announced on Sunday and running until June 2030, carries weight beyond just the dugout.

He has been given the title of manager rather than head coach, and the expectation is that no major deal will go through without his sign-off.

That dynamic is about to be tested quickly.

According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are planning a significant overhaul of their striking options this summer, with at least two forwards expected to leave and a new number nine at the top of the shopping list.

Both Liam Delap and Marc Guiu are anticipated to be moved on — either sold outright or loaned with buy options attached — while Joao Pedro’s future remains a live topic despite the club’s insistence that he is not for sale.

Barcelona have continued to circle the Brazilian regardless of Chelsea’s public stance, and Pedro has reportedly communicated to his agents that a move to Camp Nou would be hard to turn down.

With outgoings expected up front, Chelsea’s recruitment team have been drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements — and one name that has emerged is Brian Brobbey.

Chelsea wait for Xabi Alonso to green-light Brian Brobbey move

Phillips reports that Chelsea have already had some contact with the representatives of the Sunderland striker, who joined the Black Cats from Ajax last September for an initial fee of around £17m.

It has been a steady rather than spectacular first season in English football for the Netherlands international, with seven goals and one assist in 30 Premier League appearances for a Sunderland side making a surprise late push for Europe.

The numbers do not leap off the page, but Brobbey’s qualities go beyond the raw statistics.

At 5ft 10in, he is not the tallest centre-forward, but his physical power, explosive acceleration and ability to run the channels make him a handful for any defence.

He was named Ajax Player of the Year in 2023/24 after scoring 22 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, and was part of the Netherlands squad that reached the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Germany.

His debut Premier League goal — a stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal in November — offered a glimpse of the composure and big-game temperament that attracted Sunderland in the first place.

Phillips stresses that the names currently circulating — Brobbey among them — are not necessarily targets that Alonso himself has requested.

It is still early days, and the Spaniard has barely had time to assess the squad in detail, let alone compile a personal wishlist. But crucially, Chelsea will not move for any of these players, including Brobbey, without Alonso green-lighting the deal first.

That is the new reality at Stamford Bridge, and it represents a meaningful shift in how the club operates.

Sunderland would not be keen sellers. Brobbey has three years remaining on his contract and is a key part of Regis Le Bris’ squad as they look to build on a promising first season back in the top flight.

Any approach from Chelsea would need to be substantial to even open a conversation.

Whether Alonso ultimately decides Brobbey fits his vision for the team remains to be seen, but the contact has been made, the groundwork is being laid, and the summer window is about to get very busy.