Xabi Alonso has suffered an early blow even before officially taking office at Chelsea after reports emerged on Sunday that Jose Mourinho was set to lure Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid this summer.
A deal has been agreed between all parties. Cucurella will complete a move to Real Madrid after the World Cup, with the Blues receiving an initial £47.5m plus another £4.3m in add-ons. A total of £51.8m.
Decent business from Chelsea, given Cucurella’s book value is around half of that. It is four years since Todd Boehly signed Cucurella from Brighton, simply because Manchester City were also interested.
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It has turned out to be one of BlueCo’s better signings. But in recent months, Cucurella has made it obvious that a return to Spain was on his radar, even if it was widely expected he would join Barcelona.
Chelsea and Alonso are left reeling. Alonso wanted to keep Cucurella and will now have to bring in a replacement before the start of the season, with Jorrel Hato starring in the middle of the defence.
Chelsea target two left-backs, but dream option looks unlikely
According to Simon Phillips, Chelsea are pursuing a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Maxi Araujo. Chelsea have already been linked with signing Araujo this summer, and reports suggest a deal could be done for £35m.
Chelsea have a good connection with Sporting, having already signed Dario Essugo and Geovany Quenda from the Portuguese giants in recent months. Phillips also says Chelsea would really like to get Lewis Hall.
However, Phillips deems a move for the Chelsea academy graduate as unlikely, having sold Hall for £28m to Newcastle United only a few years ago. It appears Araujo could be the player Chelsea look to bring in.
Phillips said on X: “Maxi Araujo of Sporting is one name I was given as a possible Marc Cucurella replacement a couple weeks back. Lewis Hall is who they would really want but I see little chance of that.”
Which other left-backs have Chelsea been linked with of late?
Chelsea will need to sign a left-sided defender even with Hato on the books. The Netherlands defender, who was an unused substitute against Japan on Sunday night, has looked better as a central defender.
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Alonso will likely target a wing-back, one that is capable of having an impact in the final third. It makes links with Alejandro Grimaldo easy, the wing-back who starred under him at Leverkusen during 2023-24.
There has also been plenty of reports suggesting a move for Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso in recent weeks. Cambiaso is set to be available between £36m and £45m, with Juventus open to selling.
There will be other names linked with Chelsea until a new signing is made, but the ball is rolling and Chelsea need to start making moves of their own before Alonso finally takes office in a fortnight.
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