The search for Marc Cucurella’s replacement continues as Chelsea look to bring in a left-back following his move to Real Madrid. Italian media claim BlueCo have now tabled a £26m bid.
Since Cucurella became the fifth player Jose Mourinho has signed since the Special One left Chelsea in 2007, Chelsea have been linked with a whole host of left-sided defenders. Lewis Hall is a dream signing.
RATE 1-10: Is Marc Cucurella’s exit good business by Chelsea?
Maxi Araujo is another option, having scored two goals in two games at the World Cup for Uruguay. A potential reunion between Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Carreras has been downplayed since initial reports.
But of all the left-backs Chelsea have been linked with since Cucurella’s exit, Andrea Cambiaso is the best option for the Blues. Now, reports in Italy claim Chelsea have made an offer to sign the Italy defender.
Chelsea make Andrea Cambiaso offer, but there’s an issue
According to Italian website Sport Mediaset, Chelsea have informed Juventus that they are willing to pay £21.5m up front to land the 19-time Italy star. With add-ons, Chelsea’s offer would reach a £26m total.
However, there is a problem. Juventus want a fee of £35m if they are to sell Cambiaso, especially having rejected a bid of £56m from Man City last summer. But talks are ongoing between the two clubs.
Many Italian sides are being forced to sell up before the Financial Fairplay deadline of June 30th. It has seen Chelsea linked with Roma’s Manu Kone too, with Roma requiring a £50m influx come the deadline.
The same goes for Juventus with Cambiaso clearly one of the players Juventus need to sell to avoid a fine, or a points deduction. Given the deadline, there is likely to be a compromise in the next few days.
What Rafa Benitez has said about Andrea Cambiaso
Joining Juventus in the summer of 2022, Cambiaso went on loan for his first season but has since been a mainstay for Juventus in the last three seasons. He’s largely operated as a wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 system.
Who would you sign to replace Marc Cucurella? 🫵
Andrea Cambiaso is the latest player to be linked.
But under Thiago Motta, he also played on the right and even in central midfield. This is a constantly reliable, consistent performer that has even caught the eye of former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez.
After a win for Juventus over Leipzig in the Champions League, Benitez said: “He’d move wide, drop back, move inside. He always made the right pass – often a penetrating pass. He made a difference for Juve.”
If Chelsea get Cambiaso, they will be signing a player that will give them at least a 7/10 every week. A player that rarely loses the ball and in attack, has had a hand in 25 goals over the last three seasons.
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