Real Madrid agree Marc Cucurella deal with Chelsea in transfer bombshell | OneFootball

Spain left-back will swap Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu after World Cup, despite Barcelona links

The transfer is believed to be worth a total of €60million (£51.7m), which includes a €55m (£47.4m) fixed fee and a further €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

Cucurella had been a player of interest to all of Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico, but the former Brighton defender has an agreement over personal terms with Los Blancos.

The 27-year-old will be a significant loss to Chelsea, with Cucurella having been a key player for the club following an initially tough start that followed his £62m switch to west London in 2022.

He did, however, draw criticism for some of his performances towards the latter end of their dismal domestic campaign this season.

On the move: Former Barcelona defender Marc Cucurella is leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid

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In an interview with The Athletic given while on international duty with Spain back in March, Cucurella appeared to criticise the Blues’ youth-focused recruitment strategy as he claimed they had “paid the price” for inexperience on the pitch with their results.

He also questioned why Enzo Maresca was no longer the Chelsea head coach, with Liam Rosenior in post at the time.

Cucurella admitted during that same international break that it would be “hard to turn down” a return to Barcelona, though he has now opted to join their arch-rivals, who confirmed the return of ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as manager earlier this week to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa is now expected to be appointed as Marco Silva’s replacement at Fulham after the Portuguese departed Craven Cottage at the end of his contract in order to succeed Mourinho at Benfica.

Madrid - who recently agreed a contract extension with Antonio Rudiger - are significantly strengthening their defence after a hugely frustrating season which finished trophyless, with Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries joining from Inter Milan and France centre-back Ibrahima Konate set to arrive following the expiration of his deal at Liverpool.

The LaLiga giants had been linked with Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol as they targeted a player capable of featuring in both central defence and at left-back.