Real Madrid has officially announced the signing of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth up to €60m (£52m). The agreement was finalised just before Cucurella’s opening World Cup game with Spain. The Spanish club confirmed a six-year contract for the player, extending until June 30, 2032.
Chelsea also released a statement confirming the permanent transfer to the Spanish La Liga side. The club thanked Cucurella for his contributions, including his role in their recent achievements, which include lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup last year. During his time at Stamford Bridge, the defender also regularly represented the Spanish national team.
Cucurella’s move to Madrid follows four years at Chelsea, where he joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. Madrid will pay an initial €55m, with an additional €5m in add-ons for the left-back. Chelsea reportedly views this as an opportune moment to transfer Cucurella, whose performance levels were perceived to have dipped after Christmas. The strong form of his deputy, Netherlands left-back Jorrel Hato, also influenced the decision.
Fernandez linked with Madrid move
Following Cucurella’s transfer, speculation has intensified regarding whether his former Chelsea teammate, Enzo Fernandez, will also make a move to Real Madrid. Sources in Spain suggest that the agreement for Cucurella progressed rapidly, and a similar situation could unfold for Fernandez. Much depends on Madrid’s willingness to meet Chelsea’s valuation for the midfielder, which is reported to be around £120m.
It remains uncertain how flexible Chelsea will be in negotiations or if Madrid would agree to that valuation for the Argentina international, who is currently participating in the Fifa World Cup. However, re-elected club president Florentino Perez has hinted at a potential signing worth 150m euros (£129.6m). This figure aligns with a previous bid rejected by Atletico Madrid for Fernandez’s international teammate, Julian Alvarez, suggesting these funds could now be allocated for Fernandez.
Well-placed sources indicate that Fernandez is keen to join Real Madrid. While Manchester City and Paris St-Germain were previously linked, both clubs are understood to have distanced themselves from any interest. It appears to be a choice between Madrid or remaining at Chelsea for Fernandez, who is under contract until 2032. Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, would be content to retain the midfielder, who contributed 15 goals and seven assists last season.
Madrid’s squad rebuild
Real Madrid is undergoing a significant squad overhaul after two years without a trophy, having finished second to Barcelona in their domestic league and exiting the Champions League at the quarter-final stage last season. The club has been active in the transfer market since appointing Jose Mourinho as their returning manager.
In addition to Cucurella, Madrid is set to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries. They have also agreed to sign former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer. These moves are part of a broader strategy to bolster various positions within the squad. It is yet to be seen if Madrid will pursue further business with Chelsea to secure Enzo Fernandez.
Fernandez has reportedly expressed his desire to join Madrid, but Chelsea is expected to seek more than £100m for the former Benfica midfielder. Chelsea, which did not qualify for Europe, will also consider the preferences of their new manager, Xabi Alonso. The club is not under pressure to make sales, but Fernandez is not considered one of the ‘untouchables’ like Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
