Real Madrid have made clear they will not entertain offers for Álvaro Carreras this summer, a development that complicates Chelsea’s search for a replacement for Marc Cucurella. According to AS, the Spanish club consider Carreras “untouchable” and are not prepared to move him on only a year after his arrival.

Carreras arrived from Benfica last summer for $58.42 million (€50 million) and was handed a six-year contract. Los Blancos view him as part of a recent investment and, per the report, will only consider offers that would see him leave at a financial loss on that initial outlay. Mourinho is expected to rely on Carreras to compete with Cucurella for the starting left back position next season.

Real Madrid also face uncertainty in their left-back ranks beyond Carreras. Ferland Mendy’s recurring injury problems have left the Frenchman as an unreliable alternative, and he could be on the way out of the club. Fran García, a La Fábrica graduate, has attracted interest from several teams across Europe and may also depart. With two of the four left backs in the squad potentially headed for exits, Carreras provides necessary depth and competition.

For Chelsea, Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid removes one target and Carreras’s unavailability leaves the Blues with limited options. At present, 20-year-old Jorrel Hato is the only recognised left back at Xabi Alonso’s disposal. Hato was also used regularly at centre back during his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have secured the signing of Denner Evangelista, but the 18-year-old is considered a long-term prospect and is not expected to join the first team this summer. Reuniting with Lewis Hall has been suggested as a possibility, but it appears unlikely given that the same ownership group previously allowed the Cobham graduate to leave. As the window progresses, Chelsea will need to widen their search for a left back while Real Madrid maintain a firm stance on Carreras.

Wrexham could look to the Premier League loan market this summer as part of a recruitment plan to improve their promotion prospects from the Championship. Club sources expect a more competitive division next season, and Phil Parkinson would only pursue loan signings that “add genuine quality to his first-team squad.”

Clubs must register a maximum senior squad of 25 players aged over 21, with eight homegrown players and two designated goalkeepers. Players under 21 do not need to be registered, but every loan signing must be registered regardless of age.

Awoniyi: The 28-year-old centre forward had a reduced role at Nottingham Forest, scoring four goals and one assist in 481 Premier League minutes last season, including a brace in the victory over Chelsea. He offers an efficient goals-per-minute record, but with one year left on his contract Forest may favour permanent offers.

Akpom: Now 30, Akpom joined Ipswich Town permanently last month but saw limited game time on loan from Ajax this season, scoring two goals in 31 appearances. With Ipswich promoted, significant Premier League opportunities appear unlikely and a Championship leading role could suit him.

Lacey: The 19-year-old made four first-team appearances for Manchester United across all competitions. He remains a raw talent who would seek regular minutes on loan and would likely compete with Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead for attacking midfield positions.

Moore: Eighteen and the youngest player to appear for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Moore gained experience on loan at Rangers. A natural left winger, he would provide attacking depth and impact from the bench.

Armstrong: The 19-year-old central midfielder impressed on loan at Preston North End before returning to Everton, where he made 13 Premier League appearances. There is known interest in Armstrong this summer and another loan is a logical option.

Konak: The 20-year-old defensive midfielder is highly regarded at Brentford, has 14 senior appearances including 10 in the Premier League, and represented Türkiye at U21 level. He stood out during 16 Championship appearances for Oxford United.

Amass: A promising 19-year-old wingback, Amass impressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before Manchester United redirected his loan to Norwich City. He made one appearance for the Canaries before injury curtailed his season. He won Manchester United’s Young Player of the Year award in 2024–25 and has seven senior appearances for the club.

McFarlane: A 19-year-old product of New York City FC and one of the youngest MLS signees, McFarlane has been involved with England U19 and is highly regarded at Manchester City, though he lacks senior experience in English football.

Valdimarsson: The 24-year-old Iceland international has 12 senior appearances for Brentford, including three in the Premier League. He was named in the matchday squad for every senior Brentford fixture last season but sits behind Caoimhín Kelleher in the pecking order.

Vítek: A young goalkeeper who impressed on loan with Bristol City in the Championship, Vítek earned praise for his shot-stopping and is considered to have a very bright future.

Enzo Maresca has agreed to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City this summer, but his arrival at the Etihad has been delayed amid a dispute with his former club, Chelsea.

Maresca formally left Chelsea on January 1, 2026, after a turbulent spell that included a public intervention at a press conference in which he said a lack of support from “people in general” had contributed to the “worst 48 hours” of his time at Chelsea. The press conference followed a period in which he repeatedly clashed with the club’s ownership over transfers and team selection.

Reports indicate City began monitoring Maresca in December while he remained under contract at Stamford Bridge. The Italian spoke to City while still employed by Chelsea and, under the terms of his agreement with the Blues, was required to disclose those talks to the club’s owners. The subsequent public row and Maresca’s departure came around two weeks later.

Chelsea regard the exit as a turning point in a season that then deteriorated. The club’s problems were not confined to the pitch: his departure led to further financial consequences following the hiring and later dismissal of Liam Rosenior, for which compensation was paid.

Because Maresca is no longer employed by Chelsea, the club accepts they cannot block his final negotiations with City. The initial contact, however, is the subject of Chelsea’s complaint. Chelsea did not give permission for City to speak with Maresca, a contracted employee, and The Guardian state Chelsea believe they have sufficient evidence to report City to the Premier League for an illegal approach.

Chelsea are also said to be considering a separate claim against Maresca for breach of contract. Until those issues are resolved, City’s confirmation of Maresca remains on hold and the move is being pushed back.