Chelsea is planning to make a bid for a highly sought-after player worth £43 million, who was also wanted by Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has expressed interest in signing Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso for the upcoming summer transfer window. According to reports in Italy, Chelsea has emerged as the frontrunner for Cambiaso's signature and is determined to strengthen their squad after a disappointing season. The Blues have been forced to turn to the transfer market due to increasing doubts over the future of Marc Cucurella, who has been attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester City.

This comes after a turbulent season for Chelsea, which saw the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, and the club is determined to give Alonso the best possible chance to succeed in his first season as manager. As the season came to an end, Cucurella joined Enzo Fernandez in voicing his frustrations with the management decisions at Chelsea. It is believed that the full-back may have played his last match for the club.

As the countdown to the upcoming World Cup begins, we have launched a seven-day guide that covers everything from the teams to the players to look out for. Sign up now to stay updated. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Chelsea has shifted their focus to Juventus' Cambiaso, who is seen as an ideal replacement for Cucurella.

The Italian newspaper suggests that Cambiaso is no longer considered unsellable by Juventus, following a mixed season where his defensive errors cost the team. It is rumored that Chelsea is preparing a potential offer for Cambiaso, and Juventus may be open to selling the player to make up for the lack of Champions League revenue after finishing sixth in the league. While Manchester City had previously shown interest in Cambiaso with a €65 million offer, the opportunity to play in the English Premier League is a major temptation for the 26-year-old.

This has caught the attention of other top clubs in the league, and Chelsea's new manager Alonso is a known admirer of Cambiaso, having explored a potential move for him during his time at Real Madrid. Barcelona and Como have also expressed interest in Cambiaso, and Juventus may be open to a deal if they receive an offer of around €50 million for the Italian. Cambiaso's current contract with Juventus runs until June 2029.

Despite facing some difficulties during the season, Cambiaso's versatility and complete skill set have earned him praise from his manager Luciano Spalletti. He has also faced criticism from fans, with some even booing him during a match against Benfica. However, Spalletti has defended Cambiaso, emphasizing his importance to the team and his ability to adapt to different styles of play.

As Chelsea looks to rebuild and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season, the potential signing of Cambiaso could prove to be a valuable addition. It remains to be seen if the deal will go through, but the Italian left-back's future at Juventus is far from certain.