Chelsea are preparing for Marc Cucurella’s exit by keeping tabs on multiple targets, The Sportzine understands.
Cucurella is set for an exit this summer, with the Spaniard exploring options. The left-back has two years left on his deal, with the option of a third added last summer when he penned a new contract for improved wages.
The 27-year-old is keen to return to Spain amid reports that Manchester City are interested in signing him. He was a target for them in 2022, before the Blues swooped in and signed him for £60 million.
Enzo Maresca is set to takeover at the Etihad and is eyeing a reunion with the defender. However, the Stamford Bridge side are unwilling to sell to a Premier League rival.
Atletico Madrid lead the race for Cucurella, but talks have just begun between the two clubs. Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the left-back, as Hansi Flick looks to bolster his squad after winning the league once again.
Chelsea eye two replacements for Marc Cucurella
Chelsea are already working on signing a replacement for Cucurella this summer. The Blues have Jorrel Hato in the squad and Valentin Barco coming in, but are keen on adding one outright left-back.
Barco can play as a left-back and a midfielder, but sources suggest the Argentine is keen to play in the middle, and Xabi Alonso is open to it.
Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is one of the main targets, but they face competition from Manchester United. The Magpies have not set an asking price, though the defender is open to an exit in the summer.
Chelsea sold the left-back for £28 million plus £7 million in add-ons, which sources suggest is yet to be achieved, and the fee paid so far is £33 million. The Blues do not have a buyback clause in his contract, but they do have a significant sell-on clause, which could reduce their fee compared to the Red Devils.
However, it remains unclear whether the Englishman is interested in returning to Stamford Bridge, where he spent 11 years. Manchester United are pushing to hold talks this month as they see him as the ideal long-term replacement for Luke Shaw.
Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde is the other name Chelsea are tracking and have heavily scouted in the last year. He played 28 matches across all competitions in the 2025/26 season, but Hansi Flick preferred Joao Cancelo towards the end of the season.
With the Catalan side interested in Cucurella, it would be interesting to see whether the two clubs go ahead with a player-plus-cash deal. The Blues reportedly want £60 million for their left-back, while Balde is valued lower.
Apart from the duo, reports in Italy suggest that Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso is also a target for Chelsea.
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