Club to pay initial €55m for the left-back; Enzo Fernandez still a target
Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea in a deal worth up to €60m.
The agreement will see Madrid pay an initial €55m, with a further €5m in performance-related add-ons. Cucurella has accepted a return to Spain after four seasons at Stamford Bridge.
The left-back’s future had been uncertain since he publicly questioned Chelsea’s direction during the March international break. Cucurella criticised the club’s lack of experience following their heavy Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain and expressed concerns over the departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea believe the timing is right to sanction the sale of a player who arrived from Brighton for £62m in 2022. After overcoming a difficult start in west London, Cucurella established himself as a key figure, although the club are understood to have been encouraged by the development of his deputy, the Netherlands international Jorrel Hato, and felt the Spaniard’s performances declined during the second half of last season.
Madrid have moved aggressively in the transfer market after a second consecutive season without major silverware. Alongside Cucurella, they have strengthened their defence with the arrivals of Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate, while former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has also agreed to join on a free transfer.
Madrid remain interested in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who also voiced frustration with the club hierarchy towards the end of last season. The Argentina international is keen on a move to the Bernabeu, although Chelsea are expected to demand more than £100m for the former Benfica player.
