Chelsea star will prioritise summer move for Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona are currently focusing on their pursuit of a striker, but they also have other areas to address in Hansi Flick’s squad. In particular, there are concerns about their defence, with left-back being one of the positions that is an issue for the Catalan club.

Alejandro Balde has struggled to take a step forward in his level over the last couple of years, and during the second half of the 2025-26 season, he was replaced by Joao Cancelo as the starting left-back. Flick is no longer entirely convinced about the La Masia graduate, which is why there are reports of a possible addition.

One will be needed anyway, given that competition will be needed for Balde. At this stage, Al Hilal are still playing hardball with Barcelona despite lowering their asking price for Cancelo, which is why the option of Marc Cucurella is gaining traction.

Cucurella is someone that Barcelona are very familiar with. Like Balde, he came through the ranks at La Masia, although he never came close to the first team before leaving. He’s now at Chelsea, and according to MD, he would prioritise a return to the Spotify Camp Nou above all other offers that could come his way this summer.

Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs keen on Cucurella, but if Barcelona becomes a serious option, he will only consider them. He’s already told Chelsea of his desire to leave this summer, so there could be movement after his involvement with Spain at the 2026 World Cup comes to an end.

Cucurella would only join if Balde leaves

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Cucurella may be desperate for a return to Catalonia, but the report makes it clear that he would only return if Balde was sold. Chelsea are asking for €40-50m to sell the defender this summer, and Barcelona would only be prepared to pay this if a significant sale happened, which would be the case with their current left-back.