The transfer market is keeping Chelsea on their toes as they embark on a new project under Xabi Alonso. Just a few days ago, the departure of Marc Cucurella was finalised, with the player leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid, who currently have as many as four left-backs in their squad. As a result, the English side have shown an interest in Alvaro Carreras, according to 'AS'. For the time being, they are merely gauging the situation of the former Benfica player, who has seen even more competition for his position.

This information was first reported by journalist Simon Phillips and has been corroborated by the Spanish newspaper, which for now does not suggest any interest beyond an initial enquiry as part of Chelsea’s drive to find a new first-choice left-back in the transfer market following the departure of Cucurella, who had already completed a cycle as a Blue.

Chelsea are aware that Carreras could be on his way out following Real Madrid’s latest move and wanted to know where he stood: whether Real Madrid were willing to let him go, what his price tag would be, and what conditions the player would set should he have to move on again. Working in his favour is the fact that Xabi Alonso already knows him from the six months he has spent with him at Chamartín. In fact, he had already endorsed his signing for Madrid at the time.

For the moment, the ‘Merengues’ have not spoken to Carreras about their plans, not even following the arrival of Cucurella. But it is doing the maths. In addition to the Catalan, Fran García and Ferland Mendy are also currently in the Real Madrid squad, so departures are expected in that position. The transfer market works both for and against him: he is still in demand and the Whites could try to recoup a large part of the €50 million investment they made last summer to sign him. Chelsea are waiting to see how things unfold.

Á. Carreras

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