Real Madrid forward Arda Guler has revealed he continues to communicate with newly appointed Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, fueling speculation about a potential move to Stamford Bridge. Alonso will officially begin his role at Chelsea on July 1st, having departed Real Madrid by mutual consent in January.
Alonso played a significant role in Guler’s development after joining Real Madrid, offering the young Turkish international more opportunities than his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti. Guler started just 15 matches across La Liga and the Champions League in the 2024-25 season, but became a key player under Alonso, starting five of Real Madrid’s six matches at last summer’s Club World Cup. He followed this up with a strong 2025-26 campaign, registering 20 goal contributions in 51 appearances, including a notable brace against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Guler had previously been linked with a departure from Real Madrid before Alonso’s arrival last May, and recent reports in the Spanish press suggest a summer transfer to Chelsea could be on the cards due to his close relationship with the manager. Following Alonso’s exit from Real Madrid, Guler posted a heartfelt message on Instagram thanking Alonso for his belief and guidance, stating that the manager’s faith had made him a better player.
In a recent interview with TRT Spor, Guler confirmed the strength of their connection, stating, “The truth is that we had a brilliant relationship…I felt as though he’d handed me the keys.” He added that he hopes Alonso’s time at Chelsea is successful and that they remain in contact. While maintaining relationships with former managers is common, Guler’s bond with Alonso could prove pivotal in any potential transfer negotiations.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has reportedly expressed his desire to leave the club following their failure to qualify for European competition. According to reports, Fernandez is keen on a move to Real Madrid, and Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is a known admirer of the Argentinian. However, Chelsea are seeking a fee of nearly €140m for Fernandez, a figure that may prove prohibitive for Real Madrid. This has led to speculation about a possible player-plus-cash swap deal, with Guler emerging as a potential candidate to move to Chelsea, particularly given his connection with Alonso and uncertainty surrounding his place at Real Madrid with the potential return of Nico Paz from Como.
