A new left-back has become an immediate priority at Chelsea after the Blues agreed to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. Plenty of names have already been linked with a move to West London.
Reports emerged on Sunday evening that Cucurella had agreed a move to Real Madrid. On Monday, the deal had been confirmed by both clubs, with Madrid paying an initial £47.5m and £4.3m more in add-ons.
RATE 1-10: Is Marc Cucurella’s exit good business by Chelsea?
Decent business from Chelsea, who have made a book profit of £17.5m on the Spain defender. But it did come as a surprise; the deal was confirmed on the same day Spain began their World Cup campaign.
Now, Chelsea need a left-back. In the immediate aftermath of Cucurella’s departure, Maxi Araujo and Lewis Hall were mentioned, while links with Alejandro Grimaldo are obvious because of Xabi Alonso.
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Araujo has been linked with Chelsea for a while, with Sporting willing to sell the left-sided wing-back for £35m this summer. If Alonso is to play his 3-4-2-1 Leverkusen system at Chelsea, Araujo would be ideal.
If his 13 goals and assists in 47 Sporting games during 2025-26 don’t prove that, then his goal last night for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia will. According to the stats, Araujo was Uruguay’s best player.
Now, a report from Portuguese newspaper Record say Chelsea have actually opened talks with Araujo’s representatives regarding a summer move to West London, as a direct replacement for Cucurella.
Selling Cucurella and buying Araujo while making a profit…
Cashing in on Cucurella is the right move. It is a big loss, but Chelsea have done it at the right time in the window, when there is plenty of time to replace him. Doubts had begun to emerge on Cucurella’s form.
Who would you rather see at left-back next season, Jorrel Hato or Lewis Hall?
Hall is being linked with a return to Chelsea following Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid 🇪🇸
But in terms of signing Araujo for £35m, another £17m less than the fee they will rake in for Cucurella, is sensational business from the Blues. Araujo is ready-made, experienced, and is just coming into his peak.
It is a much more sensible signing than bringing in a youngster. Grimaldo and Hall would be wonderful signings, but equally, if Chelsea bring in Araujo, then it is just as impressive business; a superb player.
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