Arsenal target rejects Real Madrid to stay in Serie A, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso identifies Marc Cucurella replacement - Euro Transfer News

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder enjoyed a strong season at Como, helping the Italian club qualify for the UEFA Champions League with 12 goals and six assists.

Paz left Madrid in the summer of 2024 and Spanish outlet AS has reported that the Argentina international is happy with his role at his current club.

The report reads: "After months of speculation that the Argentina international would return to the Santiago Bernabeu, Paz has decided to spend another season at Como, handing Cesc Fabregas a major boost ahead of the club’s return to the UEFA Champions League.

"The midfielder has already informed Real Madrid executives that he intends to reverse his earlier decision to come back to Spain. Instead, he has asked to remain in Italy for another year.

"Paz’s priority has always been clear: play regularly. The 2026 World Cup participant believes consistent minutes are essential to his development, especially with Como preparing for Champions League soccer. Recent changes at Real Madrid have made that objective increasingly difficult."

ESPN Deportes added that Arsenal had already enquired after the starlet but without making any significant headway, writing: "Other European clubs, such as Arsenal, have also expressed interest in the Argentine player, but without making any concrete progress."

After Real Madrid pulled off a shock deal for Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, the Spain defender's replacement could be heading in exactly the opposite direction.

With former Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso now at the Stamford Bridge helm, a move for Alvaro Carreras may be increasingly possible.

AS has claimed that Madrid are receptive to offers for the 23-year-old, who made 28 La Liga appearances last season.

Their report reads: "Alvaro Carreras has emerged as a potential target for Chelsea.

"The Galician full-back has entered the Blues’ thinking. For now, it is little more than an exploratory inquiry, with Chelsea assessing the potential transfer fee and the player’s contractual situation.

"Carreras has not yet been informed directly about Real Madrid’s plans for him, but the club does not view him as untouchable. He is reportedly Jose Mourinho’s preferred option to compete with Cucurella for minutes, although Fran Garcia could also fill that role. Like Carreras, Garcia remains available should the right offer arrive.

"At least one of the three left-backs behind Cucurella is expected to leave this summer. Madrid are determined to generate departures, whether through permanent transfers or favorable loan arrangements. What Chelsea might be willing to pay remains unclear."

Josko Gvardiol was linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer but reports have suggested that the Bundesliga giants have never made a "concrete attempt" to sign the Manchester City star.

Instead, the Croatia international is on the verge of signing a new contract at his current club, keeping him at the Etihad until 2031.

CFBayern Insider claimed that the German champions were interested in the defender, though their interest never materialised into an offer.

Their report reads: "Christian Falk previously shared to CFBayern Insider that Gvardiol would like to return to the Bundesliga one day. Lothar Matthaus also suggested that Bayern were considering a move for the centre-back.

"However, the German giants knew any deal would be expensive, with reports indicating a fee in the region of £60.5m-£64.8m.

"Is this a blow for Bayern? Not at all. The Bavarians did not make any concrete attempt to sign him.

"Christian Falk has exclusively told CFBayern Insider that Bayern are now concentrating on other targets — Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari — and are close to achieving their goals in those pursuits.

"The German champions will only consider signing a new centre-back if they manage to offload either Hiroki Ito, Kim Min-jae, or both."

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