Chelsea are preparing a £100 million bid to sign Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler as new manager Xabi Alonso looks to reshape the squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Blues brought Alonso in as manager after parting ways with both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior over the course of last season.
The Spanish head coach is expected to use the summer transfer window to put his stamp on the Chelsea squad and signal a new direction for the club.
One of Alonso’s central objectives for next season is to return Chelsea to the Champions League, while domestic trophy contention will also be a priority.
Sports Boom has reported that Alonso is keen to reunite with Guler at Stamford Bridge, with the club understood to be backing the move financially.
Alonso worked with Guler during his short-lived tenure at Real Madrid, with the Turkish international responding strongly to the Spaniard’s management.
Guler produced his best campaign for Real Madrid so far, contributing six assists and 14 goals in what was a breakthrough year for the 21-year-old.
The future of Arda Guler at Madrid could hinge significantly on Jose Mourinho, who is expected to be announced as Real Madrid head coach in the near future.
With Jude Bellingham occupying the number 10 role and Endrick potentially returning from his loan at Olympique Lyon to play as right winger, Guler faces stiff competition for his preferred positions.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly planning significant investment in rebuilding the squad, meaning a £100 million sale for Guler could be welcomed by the board.
A move to Chelsea is far from guaranteed, however, as Guler himself may be reluctant to leave Madrid without the assurance of Champions League football at his next club.
Chelsea must therefore first address their own standing in European competition if they are to have any realistic chance of luring the highly coveted Turkish star to west London.