Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella is reportedly in talks to leave the club before the arrival of new manager Xabi Alonso, according to reports in Spain. The 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Brighton in a £60 million deal in 2022, has been one of the team's standout performers in a difficult season that could see the club miss out on European football entirely.
Barcelona to Step Up Talks
Barcelona are planning to intensify negotiations for Cucurella next week, with the defender's return to La Liga looking increasingly likely. Speaking on the Solo para Cules podcast, El Chiringuito's Jota Jordi claimed that Cucurella will leave Chelsea this summer, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as his two main options.
'Starting Monday there will be movement,' Jordi said. 'Cucurella is 100 per cent committed to Chelsea. He’s the captain, an important figure in the dressing room, and he’s very grateful to the club. Starting Monday, some movement from Barca to his representatives is expected, and from there we can tell you more. Obviously, today I could say with 1000 per cent certainty that Cucurella won’t play for Chelsea. He’ll play here in Spain, there are two clubs, Barca and Atletico Madrid, and I hope and wish that Barca makes the right moves so that he ends up playing for Barca.'
Cucurella's Admission
In an interview in March, Cucurella admitted that a move to Barcelona would be 'hard to turn down'. 'Spain is always Spain. It is where I grew up and you always think about going back,' he said. 'But I would leave it for a few years down the line. I am very happy here and it is a great life experience.' When asked specifically about a return to Barcelona, he added: 'It is clear if that situation did arise, it is hard to turn down, but I would have to consider it in the end. It is not just me, I also have to think about my family and together we would have to decide what’s best for us. As I have said before, right now I am not thinking about that. If it comes, it will come, and we will see what decision is made.'
Chelsea have reached an agreement to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager, with the 44-year-old set to take up his position in July. However, Alonso could be without one of Chelsea's senior figures in the dressing room next season if Cucurella completes his exit.
