UMVA has learned that Chelsea are scrambling to find a replacement left-back after Marc Cucurella's shocking departure to Real Madrid on Monday, with the Blues pocketing a whopping €55m (£47.5m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in variables.
The solution to Chelsea's left-back conundrum might surprisingly lie within Real Madrid's own ranks. Jorrel Hato, who Chelsea believe can seamlessly fill the void left by Cucurella, has been touted as a potential replacement, but the Blues are also weighing up a move for Alvaro Carreras, a talented young left-back currently on Real Madrid's books.
Carreras, who joined Real Madrid last summer for a fee of €50m from Benfica, has had a rollercoaster ride at the Santiago Bernabeu. Initially impressing with his pace and skill, his form dramatically dipped as the season progressed, and he ultimately fell out of favor, behind Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy in the pecking order.
Sources close to Chelsea have revealed that the club is keenly interested in Carreras, with Xabi Alonso, Chelsea's new manager, familiar with the player's abilities. Carreras' previous stints at Manchester United and Preston North End have also prepared him well for the rigors of English football, making him an attractive proposition for the Blues.
Real Madrid, however, are likely to be reluctant sellers, looking to recover most of the fee they spent on Carreras. But with Cucurella now a de facto starter at Real Madrid, the door may be ajar for Carreras to make a move, and Chelsea are poised to capitalize on this opportunity.
Carreras' debut season at Real Madrid was marked by both promise and controversy, including a reported run-in with Antonio Rudiger in training. Despite this, Chelsea believe he has the potential to become a top-class left-back, and are seriously considering making a move for him.
