LONDON — Newly appointed Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly placed Real Madrid’s Turkish sensation Arda Güler at the top of his summer wishlist, labeling the young midfielder as his “dream transfer” for the 2026/27 campaign according to El Nacional.
Alonso, who recently made the switch from Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge, is eager to reunite with his former protégé. Despite a complicated season in Madrid that saw Alonso depart in January, the 21-year-old Güler remained a staunch supporter of the Spanish tactician, frequently praising his influence on his development.
The “Özil and Guti” Hybrid
According to reports from Hürriyet and Spanish outlet El Nacional, Alonso’s admiration for Güler is rooted in the youngster’s unique technical profile. Alonso has reportedly described Güler as a rare blend of two Real Madrid icons: Mesut Özil and Guti.
The stats back up the hype. In the 2025/26 season, Güler cemented his status as a European elite by providing 20 direct goal contributions (including 9 assists in La Liga) across 51 appearances. His standout moment came in the Champions League semi-finals against Bayern Munich, where he netted two goals, prompting a personal message of pride from Alonso despite the manager’s mid-season exit.
The Real Madrid Stance: “Untouchable”
While Alonso is determined to bring the Turkish star to London, the operation faces a significant hurdle: Florentino Pérez.
Non-Negotiable: Real Madrid reportedly views Güler as “untouchable” and a cornerstone of the club’s future.
No Swap Deals: Despite rumors suggesting Chelsea might offer Enzo Fernández in a potential swap, Madrid has signaled they have no interest in using Güler as a bargaining chip.
The Price of Greatness: With Güler’s stock at an all-time high, any potential deal would likely require a record-breaking fee to even bring Madrid to the negotiating table.
A Mutual Respect
The bond between player and manager remains strong. In a recent interview with TRT Spor, Güler reflected on their time together:
