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New Chelsea boss and former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have made a £21m bid for Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras, according to reports in Spain.
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is searching the market for a new left-back following Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid.
Alonso, who has signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, was keen for Cucurella to stay but the Spaniard decided to leave after Chelsea’s disappointing season.
Netherlands international Jorrel Hato, who joined Chelsea last summer for £36m, can play at left-back but the Blues are keen to bring in a new player to start in that position under Alonso.
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Alonso is a known admirer of current Real Madrid defender Carreras, who he worked with during his brief spell in charge at the Bernabeu.
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Spanish outlet Sport say Alonso has instructed his new bosses at Chelsea to sign Carreras as he believes he is the ideal replacement for Cucurella.
It is even claimed Chelsea have already made an offer for the 23-year-old worth 25m euros (£21m), which was immediately rejected by Madrid.
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Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras (Picture: Getty)
Carreras’ future at the Bernabeu is far not certain given Cucurella’s arrival but Real Madrid reportedly want at least 50m euros (£43m) to sanction his exit.
The player, for his part, is believed to be keen to stay at Madrid despite the added competition that will be provided by Cucurella’s move to the La Liga giants.
But Alonso will hope to use the incentive of more regular game-time to convince Carreras to join Chelsea, who finished just 10th in the Premier League last season.
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Marc Cucurella left Chelsea to join Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)
Mourinho worked with Carreras at his former club Benfica but dropped the Spaniard following a dip in form.
Alonso trusted Carreras to such an extent that he even used him at centre-back at times while in charge of Real Madrid.
Cucurella had established himself as a key member of the Chelsea squad before his £52m move to the Bernabeu.
‘If you had asked me a few months ago, I probably would have said I don’t expect to leave Chelsea,’ Cucurella said last month. ‘I was very happy there and so was my family.
‘It isn’t easy leaving Chelsea. I arrived as a young kid, I dreamed of winning trophies and Chelsea gave me that, but I think the step to go to Real Madrid now is bigger.
‘I have the chance to come back to my country, to one of the best clubs in the world, and I think it is a step I need to make.
‘It is a decision that wasn’t easy, but it is right for me and my family.’
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