Sunderland news: Marco Gabbiadini discusses Granit Xhaka transfer links

Clearly we wouldn't be at this stage if Xhaka wasn't interested in leaving. That's the view of former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini after Chelsea sent an offer last week.

Despite the club rejecting the offer, Gabbiadini believes the 33-year-old must want to consider his options. Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said: "There's obviously been conversations had and he wants to take the opportunity if it's there. I thought it could be more down to his future in terms of coaching and wanting to create some kind of connection with Alonso who's he already got one with - could it be he steps into a coaching role at some stage with him?"

Gabbiadini suggested that Xhaka's involvement in the transfer discussions indicates clear intent. "He might say he's just concentrating on the World Cup but usually and especially with someone as experienced as him he's not going to have somebody out there representing him or talking to people and him being kept put of the loop. It's being driven by him," the former striker explained.

Should Chelsea come back in with a more attractive offer, Gabbiadini believes the team would cope without their captain. "Last season was a season of harmony a squad of players who fought and stuck together in difficult circumstances at times and came through it and grew as the season went on he was a huge part of that," he said.

Despite acknowledging Xhaka's importance, Gabbiadini stressed that football remains a team sport. "So I think that's going to be an issue but football isn't about one player on the team it's a team sport and we can still be a really good side without Xhaka," he concluded.

Chelsea's opening bid for the Swiss midfielder was worth £8m, but Sunderland rejected the approach. The midfielder is currently away with Switzerland at the World Cup, where he made his 150th international cap during his country's progression to the last 16.