Xabi Alonso could help Chelsea prise a player or two from Real Madrid when the summer transfer window opens next month.
16:00, 28 May 2026Updated 16:10, 28 May 2026
Newly appointed Real Madrid's coach Xabi Alonso gives a press conference during his official presentation at Real Madrid Sports City in Valdebebas, near Madrid, on May 26, 2025. Real Madrid announced in a statement on May 25, 2025, that Xabi Alonso has been appointed the new coach of Real Madrid with the 43-year-old Spaniard to take over from June 1, and lead the team at the Club World Cup
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Xabi Alonso will begin his role as Chelsea manager on July 1(Image: Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid could offer Chelsea as many as five players in a potential swap deal for Enzo Fernandez. The 25-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the transfer window, but his price tag could prove to be a problem.
football.london understands that Fernandez wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. The Blues want to keep the Argentina international, whom they signed for £106.7million in 2023, but they won't stand in his way if they receive an offer worth £120m.
It's understood that Real Madrid are interested in signing Fernandez, but, as it stands, it's unclear whether they would be willing to pay the asking price. Los Blancos haven't spent more than £100m on a player, including add-ons, since they signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund during the summer of 2023.
Four years prior, the Spanish giants forked out an initial £89m on Eden Hazard, with bonus payments reportedly granting Chelsea an additional £60m, bringing the package to an eye-watering £149m.
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The only piece of business that Real Madrid have done with the Blues since was a loan deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2023. So, with that being said, if Los Blancos don't fancy paying a nine-figure fee for Fernandez, they could always include a player or two in a potential swap deal.
Using Transfermarkt, football.london has looked at five players who the Spanish giants could offer Chelsea to slash the eye-watering asking price.
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Rodrygo – £43m
If Xabi Alonso wants to bolster his options on the wing, Rodrygo, who was linked with a move to the Premier League last summer, would be a formidable addition. The 25-year-old winger, however, spent the second half of the campaign on the sidelines, having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in March.
Naturally, due to the nature of the injury, Rodrygo could be out of action until November, making any potential player-plus-cash deal unlikely. But if Chelsea are desperate to offload an unsettled player and want some leverage in negotiations with Real Madrid, the Brazil international wouldn't be a bad gamble.
Rodrygo #11 leaves the field with Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid C.F. after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Real Madrid CF at Lincoln Financial Field on June 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Xabi Alonso and Rodrygo following Real Madrid's clash against Red Bull Salzburg(Image: Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Arda Guler
A far more realistic option would be Guler, who was a key player for Los Blancos when Alonso was still in charge. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was deployed in numerous positions by the new Chelsea manager, who was focused on just getting him on the ball as much as possible.
Speaking to reporters shortly after taking the reins at Real Madrid, Alonso outlined his vision for Guler. Ahead of a Club World Cup clash against Pachuca, the Spaniard said: "He’s one player that is special because the more touches he has, normally the better [he] plays himself and better plays the team.
Arda Guler
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Arda Guler is one of the most promising talents in European football(Image: Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
"The other day, he had a very good impact in the second half as he was close to where everything’s happening, I think that it helps him."
Then, in October, once the season was underway, Alonso heaped praise on the Turkey international. The former Liverpool midfielder said: "Arda is in the process of improving everything.
"He's 20 years old and has already played a few games for Madrid. With his age and quality, we have to support him. He needs to improve his decision-making and pressing, but he has a lot of good qualities.
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso (L) speaks to Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler (R) during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal football match between France's Paris Saint-Germain and Spain's Real Madrid
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Guler thrived during his time working under Xabi Alonso(Image: JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
"He gives great meaning to the game. When he's involved, we have a better team dynamic... I'm very happy with his progress, but we want more.
"He really enjoys playing football. He wants to find the pass, take the free kick... [Florian] Wirtz was like that at Leverkusen. He's young, but he's a great player."
Aurelien Tchouameni
Tchouameni would be the most sensible option for Chelsea in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal. The 26-year-old, who was an avid supporter of Alonso during his spell at Real Madrid, would immediately replace Fernandez in the middle of the park.
Although Tchouameni isn't as creative and wouldn't play as far forward as the Argentine, he would be a much better holding midfielder. Interestingly, the France international was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge shortly before Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club.
Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrate a goal during the 2024/25 Copa del Rey Semi Final match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on April 1
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Aurelien Tchouameni and Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu(Image: Photo by Guillermo Martinez)
Back in January 2022, football.london reported that Chelsea were interested in signing Tchouameni. At the time, no club had spent longer pursuing the Frenchman, closely monitoring his progress at Monaco before Real Madrid swooped in and capitalised on the uncertainty around the takeover in west London.
It was understood that the Blues could have pulled the trigger on a deal for Tchouameni during the summer of 2021, following talks with his agent, Jonathan Kebe. But a deal never materialised.
Eduardo Camavinga
Camavinga would be another great addition to the Chelsea squad. Not only could the 23-year-old focus on re-establishing himself as a top player after being left out of the France squad for the World Cup, but he would also help Alonso build one of the strongest midfields in the Premier League.
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid lines up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and SL Benfica
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Eduardo Camavinga has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid(Image: (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
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Alvaro Carreras
If Alonso would rather include a left-back in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal for Fernandez, Carreras wouldn't be a bad option at all. The 23-year-old, whom Real Madrid signed from Benfica for £43m last summer, was another key player for the new Chelsea boss at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He featured in all but three games for Los Blancos under Alonso. Also, Marc Cucurella only has two years left on his contract with the Blues, and, assuming the Spaniard plays a back-three, Jorrel Hato would likely be deployed as a left centre-half.
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