Real Madrid agree verbal deal to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea

Spain boss sends message to Chelsea star Marc Cucurella over Real Madrid transfer

Luis de la Fuente is confident Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella will not be distracted by the rumours (Picture: Getty) Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says he is ‘happy’ for Marc Cucurella and will ‘celebrate’ with the Chelsea defender if he gets his wish to join Real Madrid. Cucurella’s future has been the subject of intense speculation ahead of the summer transfer window, with the 27-year-old left-back believed to have handed in a transfer request at Stamford Bridge. It comes after Cucurella launched a stinging attack on the Chelsea board in the latter half of the season, in which he questioned the decision to sack Enzo Maresca while also pointing to a lack of experience in the dressing room. In the intervening weeks, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been monitoring the situation, sensing an opportunity to sign one of the most highly regarded full-backs in world football. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. However, Real Madrid – and the newly appointed Jose Mourinho – have jumped to the front of the queue for Cucurella and widespread reports this evening suggest Los Blancos have reached a verbal agreement to land the Spain international. It’s understood the La Liga giants will pay €55million (£47.5m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses for Cucurella, with the ex-Brighton man set to complete his switch once Spain’s World Cup campaign comes to an end. Facing the media ahead of Spain’s opening Group H clash with Cape Verde, De le Fuente reassured fans that he had no concerns over Cucurella’s state of mind or ‘commitment’ to the cause despite the swirling rumours. Cucurella has reportedly agreed a six-year contract with Los Blancos (Picture: Getty) The full-back is expected to start in Spain’s World Cup opener with Cape Verde (Picture: Getty) ‘I know all the players very well, I know their commitment and professionalism,’ the Spain head coach told reporters when asked about Madrid’s reported deal for Cucurella. ‘We’ve already experienced this at the European Championship with other players if you recall. ‘We handled it with ease and normalcy so that it didn’t cause any problems or uncomfortable situations. ‘No one on the team, I guarantee you, would do anything that could harm the rest of the group. Not at all.’ Cucurella looks certain to have played his last match for Chelsea (Picture: Getty) Pressed for further comment on Cucurella’s future, De la Fuente added: ‘We celebrate if it’s good news for Cucu. ‘And if something else comes up during the tournament with another team-mate and it’s good news for him, then we celebrate that, too. ‘What is good for one of my players is good for the team as a whole.’ The Spain boss went on: ‘If he’s happy and content then I’m happy and content. Anything I see that brings my players happiness makes me as happy as they are.’ Madrid are ready to pay €60m for the Spain international (Picture: Getty) Just a day before news of Cucurella’s impending move broke, the defender played down speculation that he was unhappy at Chelsea and keen to leave the west London outfit. ‘Right now I don’t want to talk about that,’ Cucurella told El Partidazo de COPE. ‘It’s true that I’m very happy where I am, I’m very happy, my family is very happy. ‘Whatever you do, don’t drive me crazy [with transfer questions]. I don’t like to be burdened with worries. I already have enough with what I have, without adding any more.’ Cucurella has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty) Asked if he was attracted to Xabi Alonso’s project at Chelsea, Cucurella explained: ‘Yes. I’ve spoken with him and he inspired a lot of confidence in me. ‘I’ve also spoken with [Alejandro] Grimaldo and Borja [Iglesias], who have worked with him, and they spoke very highly of him. The project seems very interesting.’ Last month, Alonso was unable to rule out the possibility of Chelsea cashing in on Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez or Cucurella when cornered by the Spanish press in the street. Instead, the former Liverpool midfielder reassured Chelsea fans that he would be doing everything in his power to ‘make a good team’. ‘This is football, and we’ll make a good team,’ Alonso said when pressed on the incessant rumours and speculation surrounding Chelsea’s top stars. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

8 hours ago

Real Madrid stance on signing Riccardo Calafiori after agreeing deal for Chelsea star

Riccardo Calafiori had been the subject of transfer interest from Real Madrid (Picture: Getty) Real Madrid met with the agents of Riccardo Calafiori before moving swiftly to agree a deal to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella. Chelsea have permitted the Spain international to join Jose Mourinho’s Real revolution in a deal worth up to £51.8million. Cucurella is currently in the United States with Spain for the World Cup and expected to feature in Monday’s opener with Cape Verde, but looks unlikely to return to west London at the conclusion of the tournament. Left-back Cucurella signed for Chelsea in 2022 from Brighton and flourished under Enzo Maresca, but spoke out against the Premier League club in March, blaming their recent struggles on the Italian’s departure and criticising the policy of signing young players. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. Catalunya-born Cucurella started his career at Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona, but made only one appearance for the club in the Copa del Rey before a spell at Getafe transformed his career. Two years at Getafe alerted Brighton to the services of the attacking full-back and Cucurella was snapped up by Chelsea after only one season in the Premier League. Cucurella moved to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth a reported £60m and has made 163 appearances. Real Madrid are set to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea (Picture: Getty) The 27-year-old becomes the latest player to move to the Bernabeu in an early summer window transfer blitz that has seen deals for Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva concluded. Real, according to Fabrizio Romano, also made contact with Calafiori’s representatives but will not make an offer for the Arsenal star, despite having initially wanted to sign a player capable of operating at left-back, as well as centre-half. Calafiori joined the Premier League champions from Bologna two years ago after impressing with Italy at the European Championships. The 24-year-old has established himself as a firm favourite of Mikel Arteta’s but injuries have regularly undermined his progress at the Premier League champions. Josko Gvardiol had also been linked with a move to Manchester City (Picture: Getty) Indeed, it was those fitness concerns that prompted Arsenal to sign Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and that duo largely shared left-back duties last term. Real, meanwhile, also expressed interest in signing Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol who missed much of last season through injury. The Croatia international, who is due to feature against England next week, is set to sign a new contract at City and commit his long-term future to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

11 hours ago

Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho strike ‘verbal agreement’ to sign wantaway Chelsea star

Marc Cucurella will be playing under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid next season (Picture: Getty) Real Madrid have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella. Cucurella’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, and Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Los Blancos have all credited with a strong interest. It comes after Cucurella went public with his frustrations surrounding key decisions being made at Stamford Bridge, with the 27-year-old questioning the dismissal of former manager Enzo Maresca while also pointing to a lack of experience in the dressing room. Barca, where Cucurella rose through the academy ranks as a youngster, were thought to have wrestled themselves into pole position for the left-back, six years on from his departure at the Camp Nou. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. However, bitter rivals Madrid have leapfrogged the La Liga champions in this summer’s fiercely contested transfer race – and it appears a certainty that Cucurella has played his final match for Chelsea. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Madrid now – ‘out of nowhere’ – have a verbal agreement in place with all parties, including Cucurella himself, and the full-back will complete his move once Spain’s involvement at the World Cup has concluded. It’s claimed Madrid have agreed to pay ‘more than €50million (£43m)’ to land the sought-after Euro 2024 winner. Madrid have reached a verbal agreement to sign the Chelsea and Spain full-back (Picture: Getty) Los Blancos have agreed to pay in excess of £43m for the 27-year-old (Picture: Getty) Jose Mourinho is said to have made it clear to Madrid’s hierarchy that Cucurella was his favoured target at left-back, with a host of high-profile names linked to the Bernabeu on the back of the club’s disappointing campaign. Recent reports indicated Chelsea would be demanding a fee in the region of €70million (£61m) for Cucurella. To rub further salt in the wound for Chelsea fans, Enzo Fernandez – who has also been heavily linked with Real Madrid – ‘liked’ Romano’s post on Instagram announcing Cucurella’s impending exit. Chelsea midfielder Fernandez ‘liked’ Romano’s post on Instagram Prior to Spain’s World Cup opener with Cape Verde, Cucurella played down speculation that he was unhappy at Chelsea and keen to leave the west London outfit. ‘Right now I don’t want to talk about that,’ Cucurella told El Partidazo de COPE. ‘It’s true that I’m very happy where I am, I’m very happy, my family is very happy. Cucurella is currently away on international duty at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) ‘Whatever you do, don’t drive me crazy [with transfer questions]. I don’t like to be burdened with worries. I already have enough with what I have, without adding any more.’ Asked further whether he was attracted to Xabi Alonso’s project at Chelsea, Cucurella explained: ‘Yes. I’ve spoken with him and he inspired a lot of confidence in me. ‘I’ve also spoken with [Alejandro] Grimaldo and Borja [Iglesias], who have worked with him, and they spoke very highly of him. The project seems very interesting.’ But despite Cucurella’s glowing praise, appears Alonso will not be given the chance to manage his fellow countryman next season. Last month, Alonso was unable to rule out the possibility of Chelsea cashing in on Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez or Cucurella when cornered by the Spanish press in the street. Instead, the former Liverpool midfielder reassured Chelsea fans that he would be doing everything in his power to ‘make a good team’. ‘This is football, and we’ll make a good team,’ Alonso said when pressed on the incessant rumours and speculation surrounding Chelsea’s top stars. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

13 hours ago

Ashley Cole urges Xabi Alonso to block £43m Chelsea transfer

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole (Picture: Getty) Ashley Cole has urged Xabi Alonso to block Marc Cucurella from leaving Chelsea after he reportedly handed in a transfer request. Cucurella is one of a number of Chelsea players who have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge following a disappointing season. Chelsea were expected to kick on under Enzo Maresca after finishing fourth the previous year and winning both the Club World Cup and Conference League. But the Blues slumped to a 10th-place finish, failing to qualify for any European football, with both Maresca and his replacement Liam Rosenior losing their jobs during the season. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. Alonso will take over at Stamford Bridge in July and the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder will hope to bolster his squad during this summer’s transfer window. The Spanish football legend will also be aware of speculation linking several current Chelsea stars will moves away from west London. It was reported last month that Enzo Fernandez had made it clear he wants to leave amid interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City. Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) Last week, meanwhile, reports in Spain claimed Chelsea left-back Cucurella had followed suit and essentially handed in a transfer request. Cucurella has attracted interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as well as several Premier League clubs but legendary left-back Cole believes Chelsea should prevent him from leaving. ‘I came from Arsenal to Chelsea and I didn’t perform straightaway,’ Cole told the Daily Mail when assessing Cucurella’s development since his £60m move from Brighton in 2022. ‘There was pressure and expectation. Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is eyeing a summer move (Picture: Getty) ‘Now, Marc Cucurella is someone you should keep. He’s a top performer. I’m not in the dressing room. I don’t know the noise. But if the club want to go forward, you have to keep your top players. ‘[Jorrel] Hato has performed well when he’s had the opportunity. But why not keep a top competitive squad to compete? You’re going to be constantly chasing the next one. ‘You sell Cucurella, Hato plays, but then you need a solution as a back-up to him, so who will that be?’ Enzo Fernandez could also leave Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty) The reports in Spain also claimed Chelsea would demand a fee of between 40m and 50m euros (£35m and £43m) if Cucurella leaving became inevitable. Fellow former Chelsea star Joe Cole also believes Stamford Bridge bosses should keep hold of Cucurella and, if possible, Fernandez. ‘If I’m Xabi Alonso, I want to keep both of them,’ Cole said. ‘I’d rather sell four or five other players to get that money in.’ https://www.instagram.com/p/DZX9gS4Cgcw/?hl=en&img_index=1 Chelsea reportedly have several ‘untouchable’ members of their squad, including Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Reece James. But ex-England midfielder Cole does not believe there is a single player who Chelsea would not at least consider selling. ‘Because so much money has been wasted at Chelsea, no player is untouchable, every player has a price, because it’s run as a business,’ he added. Joe Cole wants Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez to stay (Picture: Getty) ‘Under Roman Abramovich, the club was run to win trophies first, make money second. Now, the club is run to make money first, win trophies second. ‘That’s the truth. You can do both, but you’ve got to be very, very, very good. It’s important to be honest in this current climate. ‘Chelsea fans aren’t silly. They know what’s going on. Let Xabi Alonso do his work, and we move.’ Cucurella addressed speculation linking him with a move away from Chelsea ahead of Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde. ‘Right now I don’t want to talk about that,’ Cucurella told El Partidazo de COPE. ‘It’s true that  I’m very happy where I am, I’m very happy, my family is very happy. ‘Whatever you do, don’t drive me crazy [with transfer questions]. I don’t like to be burdened with worries. I already have enough with what I have, without adding any more.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

15 hours ago