Chelsea to offer Marc Cucurella new contract amid Saudi interest | OneFootball

Chelsea are set to put an end to speculation linking Marc Cucurella with a move away from West London this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are preparing to open talks with the Spanish international over a new and improved contract.

Over the past week, Cucurella has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al Nassr named as a potential destination.

However, Chelsea view the 27-year-old as one of the most important players in Enzo Maresca’s squad and a crucial part of the club’s long-term project.

Cucurella joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £63 million deal three years ago.

He didn’t have the softest landing and was heavily scrutinised for repeatedly making schoolboy errors as he struggled to find his feet in West London.

However, the former Barcelona star has since turned things around in spectacular fashion and is now seen as one of the untouchable players in Maresca’s squad.

Chelsea are set to reward Cucurella for his part in the club’s impressive 2024/25 campaign.

The Spaniard played a crucial role in helping the Blues qualify for the Champions League, win the Europa Conference League, and the Club World Cup.

Cucurella is among those to have played the most minutes for Chelsea last season. He featured 54 times across all competitions, notching seven goals and four assists.

He missed just two Premier League games last season and helped Chelsea to keep nine clean sheets. He also won 57% of his ground duels and created three big chances.

Cucurella has morphed into one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and is crucial to Maresca’s tactical system.

He is one of the first names on the team sheet. But Chelsea are set to bring in Jorrel Hato from Ajax to provide cover for Cucurella at left back.

Chelsea want to show Cucurella how highly they value him with a new deal. They haven’t received any proposals from Al Nassr but are not waiting around for that to happen.

They want to secure his future and avoid any unnecessary distractions heading into the new season.