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Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nChelsea\u2019s pursuit of a new left-back is beginning to become somewhat of a dilemma, with only a few weeks left before the start of the season. Pep Chavarria remains the club\u2019s top target.<\/strong><\/p>\n Chavarria was picked by Xabi Alonso as the man to replace Marc Cucurella after Chelsea sold the 2026 World Cup winner to Real Madrid. It comes after a stellar season with Conference League finalists Rayo.<\/p>\n But the Spanish side continue to move the goalposts. Chelsea are willing to pay a certain amount, and Rayo were initially open to a deal, only for Rayo to change their mind and request his release clause.<\/p>\n Chavarria\u2019s release clause is believed to be worth north of \u00a340m, and for a 28-year-old, it feels unlikely BlueCo would ever sign off on such an investment. Now, Alvaro Carreras looks the likeliest alternative.<\/p>\n The Blues have constantly been linked other left-backs, ranging from Jesse Derry\u2019s Sporting teammate Maxi Araujo, to a return for Lewis Hall and even Fenerbahce\u2019s English left-sided flyer Archie Brown.<\/p>\n But according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Alonso keeps on requesting Chelsea to sign the same player. He wants a reunion with his old Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n Carreras only joined Madrid for \u00a347m from Benfica last summer. He started superbly under Alonso, but after the current Chelsea manager\u2019s sacking, Carreras was replaced in the side by left-back Fran Garcia.<\/p>\n Mundo Deportivo say Alonso would love to have Carreras under his wing again, and the report states that the \u2018next few weeks\u2019 will be crucial in determining whether Carreras will leave Real Madrid, or stay put.<\/p>\n The signing of Cucurella, who will expect to start under Jose Mourinho, means Real Madrid now have four senior left-backs. Alongside Cucurella, there is Carreras, the experienced Ferland Mendy, and Fran Garcia.<\/p>\n The Real Madrid star is one left-back Chelsea are thought to be considering after Cucurella’s exit \ud83d\udcad<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n At the end of last season, Garcia was considered first choice. Mourinho would surely prefer to keep Garcia as back-up to Cucurella, leaving Carreras and Mendy available for a possible departure in the summer.<\/p>\n Reports say Madrid are open to cashing in on Carreras, but it depends on a move. Anything above \u00a340m would see Madrid win a Financial Fair Play profit, but they will want more than what they paid to sign him.<\/p>\n If Chelsea table an offer in the region of \u00a350m-\u00a355m, then Alonso could well reunite with Carreras. It depends if Chelsea are willing to go as high as that, and spend all of Cucurella\u2019s cash on the defender.<\/p>\nChelsea are using Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola as a yardstick for Pedro Neto\u2026<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\nXabi Alonso keeps asking Chelsea about Alvaro Carreras<\/h2>\n
![\"Real](\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2270266920-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/div>What is Real Madrid\u2019s stance on selling Alvaro Carreras<\/h2>\n
Why shouldn\u2019t Alvaro Carreras replace Marc Cucurella? He looks ideal!<\/h3>\n
![\"Marc](\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/06\/Marc-Cucurella-Alvaro-Carreras-819x1024.png\")
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