Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is one of the best full-backs in the world, so it is no surprise that Atletico Madrid and other big European clubs are interested in him.
Yet despite Cucurella probably being a top-five player in his position right now, some teams clearly think they can sign the 27-year-old without paying what he is actually worth.
That appears to be Atletico’s mindset heading into the summer transfer window.
Who would you sign to replace Marc Cucurella? 🫵
Andrea Cambiaso is the latest player to be linked.
Atletico Madrid want to sign Marc Cucurella on loan with option to buy
According to CaughtOffside, Atletico would prefer to sign Cucurella on loan with a purchase option.
The expectation is that Cucurella will leave Chelsea this summer as the left-back continues to be coy on his future. Perhaps that is why Atletico feel that they can sign him on their terms.
However, Chelsea paid Brighton & Hove Albion more than £60m to bring Cucurella to Stamford Bridge in 2022, while the Spaniard still has a couple of years left on his contract.
The Blues will not want to sell Cucurella for a bargain fee, especially given that he has improved as a footballer since they signed him.
Had he been a bit younger and had a longer contract, Chelsea would probably be looking to make a profit. Instead, they now have to entertain the possibility of Atletico making a loan offer for him.
Who would you sign to replace Marc Cucurella?
He hasn't ruled out a Chelsea exit…
- READ MORE: Marc Cucurella shares what his Spain teammates have now been telling him about Xabi Alonso
Chelsea will get nothing from loaning out Marc Cucurella
All in all, there is just no way Chelsea can accept a loan offer for Cucurella without there being a guarantee of him being purchased eventually.
What would Chelsea gain from loaning Cucurella out and him possibly returning with a year less on his contract? Absolutely nothing.
Xabi Alonso would be better off keeping the Spain international and utilising his talent. Again, this is one of the best full-backs in the world who can defend and attack. A loan offer for him is a joke.
It may not be wise to force a player who clearly wants out to stay. But if loan offers are the only things on the table, Chelsea have to say no.
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