Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly instructed the club’s ownership to pursue Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Guler from Real Madrid as part of a major squad rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso Wants Chelsea to Raid Former Club Real Madrid for Midfield Pair
The former Liverpool midfielder, who took charge at Chelsea recently, is determined to restore the London club to Champions League contention next season.
Alonso has already begun reshaping the squad, with Atalanta’s Marco Palestra secured and a move for Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka in progress.
However, Alonso’s ambitions extend further. According to Spanish publication Sport, the Chelsea boss wants to raid his former club Real Madrid for two key players who were instrumental during his time in the Spanish capital.
Alonso developed a strong working relationship with both Tchouameni and Guler during his tenure at the Bernabeu.
The French defensive midfielder was a regular starter under Alonso, while the Turkish playmaker flourished under his guidance, earning a permanent place in the starting lineup.
The report suggests Alonso has told Chelsea’s owners that if they decide to sell Enzo Fernandez, they should immediately pursue Tchouameni and Guler as replacements.
The Argentine midfielder has attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, though Real Madrid have publicly denied any interest in signing him.
Both players reportedly have concerns about their futures following Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid.
While Tchouameni is considered potentially surplus to requirements, the club remains reluctant to sell him regardless of Mourinho’s evaluation.
In other reports, Chelsea have made a €25 million (£21.4 million) offer for another Real Madrid player, left-back Alvaro Carreras.
The former Manchester United prospect joined Madrid from Benfica only last summer. However, Chelsea’s approach for the 23-year-old has not been well received at the Bernabeu.
Madrid recently signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, with the Spain international expected to be their first-choice left-back next season, casting doubt over Carreras’s future at the club.
Alonso’s pursuit of his former players demonstrates his determination to quickly transform Chelsea into genuine title contenders, with the January transfer window likely to be crucial for his rebuild plans.
