Multiple clubs have been in touch with people working on behalf of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella about a possible summer move.
Sources briefed on the matter — who spoke under condition of anonymity, like others in this article, to protect relationships — say he is willing to leave Chelsea after a frustrating season that saw the club finish 10th in the Premier League. Cucurella signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge last summer.
According to club sources, Chelsea are relaxed because he has three years left on his contract. Those sources say Cucurella’s future at the club is yet to be decided, though they would not block his departure if an offer matched their valuation of the full-back.
Several teams are aware of Cucurella’s situation, with some clubs keeping close tabs.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has been in touch with the 27-year-old’s camp, as he and head coach Hansi Flick are considered admirers. But any chance of a deal progressing depends on a Barcelona defender leaving the Camp Nou this summer, and all of theirs are tied to long-term contracts.
Atletico Madrid have also been in touch regarding signing Cucurella this summer. Diego Simeone’s team view a left-back as one of their top priorities in the transfer window, and Cucurella is very high on their wish list. Sporting director Mateu Alemany is leading the chase for Cucurella and has also spoken to his camp. Atletico are one of the more likely sides to close a deal in the near future as they do not have to wait on sales before advancing their interest.
Real Madrid are also looking for a left-back this summer and appreciate the player, but it is unclear if they will make a move or have the finances for it.
Inbound City head coach Enzo Maresca worked closely with Cucurella at Chelsea and sources close to both said they had a good relationship, while City were previously interested in the defender before his move to Chelsea. City, though, have indicated they are not currently in the market for a left-back. Nico O’Reilly has shone for them in that position — and any first-team arrival would have to compete with him for a spot, if he kept playing in that role, rather than his natural midfield berth. A person with knowledge of Maresca’s outlook told The Athletic that he would be interested in an addition at full-back this summer.
Sources pointed towards Maresca’s exit from Chelsea last January as a turning point in Cucurella’s situation, but a club source insists the London club are still on good terms with the Spaniard.
Speaking exclusively to The Athletic in March, Cucurella said he would not have parted ways with Maresca as Chelsea head coach a few months earlier and called into question the club’s transfer policy regarding signing younger players.
Maresca worked with Cucurella at Chelsea (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Barcelona would listen to offers for left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, which could have an impact on their interest in Cucurella. Balde, a La Masia graduate, did not progress as expected last season, when he was hampered by injuries. On-loan Joao Cancelo impressed Flick during his absence and took over his spot in the starting line-up. Barcelona expect to sign Cancelo again this summer. Balde has two years remaining on his current contract and, as of now, sources say there have been no talks over an extension.
Jules Kounde is another defender that Barcelona could consider selling. The France international lost his status as starter at right-back in favour of Eric Garcia, and Barca know he is one of their most marketable assets in defence. He is expected to start for France at the World Cup. As much as the club will not actively work to sell the 27-year-old, they are open to listening to any proposal.
Xabi Alonso, who will take over at Chelsea this summer, has contacted several Chelsea players, including Cucurella, multiple times over the past few weeks. Chelsea’s newly-appointed manager wants to keep the Spain international in his squad for next season, but is aware of the player’s willingness to explore a move.
Alonso will have other options to work with if Cucurella does leave — the rapid development of Netherlands international Jorrel Hato, who joined Chelsea from Ajax last summer, is one of the factors why the club have not deemed Cucurella as an ‘untouchable’ in the market in this window.
Analysis
By Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson
It will probably not come as the greatest surprise that Cucurella is seeking the chance to leave Chelsea this summer.
Cucurella was rather critical of the Chelsea project when speaking to The Athletic three months ago and made it pretty clear that he was upset over head coach Enzo Maresca leaving the club in January.
The left-back turns 28 in July and you can understand why the possibility of returning home to Spain would appeal in particular, especially with the calibre of clubs interested in him.
Chelsea will be able to command a large fee for someone who is highly regarded in his position and has a contract lasting until 2029.
Cucurella is one of the most experienced players in the dressing room and was one of the first signings made by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium. He joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 for an initial £56million (now $75.4m), with the price rising up by another £7m in potential add-ons.
After struggling for form in his first season at Stamford Bridge — which saw him close to moving to Manchester United on loan in the summer of 2023 — Cucurella has been a consistent member of the first XI. He started in their UEFA Conference and FIFA Club World Cup final wins against Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively in 2025.
