Chelsea will not stand in the way of Marc Cucurella if he wishes to leave the club this summer, with several teams already registering an interest in the Spain international. Cucurella joined the Blues from Brighton in the summer of 2022 in a £60 million move. After an inauspicious start, the left-back became a firm favourite at Stamford Bridge and thrived under a succession of different managers.
The 27-year-old is, however, considering his options after another season of upheaval and chaos at the west London club which ended in a disappointing 10th place finish and an FA Cup final defeat. With no European football next season, Cucurella will change clubs, despite the arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager, if Chelsea receive a suitable offer, according to The Athletic.
Spanish giants circle
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are among the Spanish clubs monitoring the full-back's situation. The newly crowned Spanish champions would have to sell a defender before they could buy, but head coach Hansi Flick is said to be a huge admirer. Atletico, meanwhile, have identified left-back as a priority position to upgrade on this summer, and their sporting director Mateu Alemany has already initiated talks. Real Madrid, too, are said to be keen, but the finances involved in any deal could rule them out of the running.
City's stance
Manchester City have a long-standing interest and attempted to buy Cucurella when he moved from the Amex Stadium four years ago. Enzo Maresca, whose appointment as Pep Guardiola's successor will be confirmed imminently, knows Cucurella well from his time in west London. However, City are unlikely to be in the market for a left-back in the transfer window. Nico O'Reilly thrived in that role last season, and although his long-term future may well lie in midfield, City also boast the likes of Rayan Aït-Nouri and Josko Gvardiol who can comfortably fill in.
Chelsea, for their part, would be comfortable allowing Cucurella to depart, given he has three years left on his contract. The club are said to have increasing confidence in Jorel Hato, who improved markedly towards the end of his debut Premier League season.
