FC Barcelona target Marc Cucurella has told Chelsea he wishes to leave the club according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
Chelsea reportedly values the Spain left back at €40-50 million ($46-57.5 million), and the former La Masia pupil’s wish or priority is to return home to the Spotify Camp Nou.
Barca are interested in helping him achieve this aim, but would have to sell Alejandro Balde as there would be an “overbooking” on the left defensive flank, as the phrase goes in Spain.
Balde stepped up to seal the left back spot under Ronald Koeman, and gradually phased club legend Jordi Alba out.
He managed to hold the position under Xavi Hernandez and Hansi Flick, but the arrival of Joao Cancelo in January complicated matters for Balde.
Described as a “loose cannon” in his first loan stint under Xavi, the Portuguese has been reborn under Flick and played a key part in a second consecutive La Liga win this term.
Cucurella’s arrival wouldn’t complicated matters for Cancelo – providing of course that Barca can make his loan move permanent.
Last week saw reports that Al-Hilal will not stand in the way of the Catalans buying the veteran outright because he’s surplus to requirements for Simeone Inzaghi.
Cancelo could play at right back, which is a role where Balde’s usual starting partner in terms of the full back position – Jules Kounde – is also under threat.
In short, both men could be moved on this summer and the cash that would come in from at least one of their potential sales is important when it comes to landing Cucurella.
Chelsea star Cucurella has already flirted with a return home to Barcelona
Asked about a second stint at Barca – where he never made a senior team appearance – while on international duty for Spain this year, Cucurella didn’t hide his feelings.
“It would be difficult to refuse,” the 27-year-old confessed. “It’s not just about me. I’d have to think about my family. If it happens, it happens, and we’ll see what decision is made.
“You always think about going back. [But] I’m very happy there [in England], and so is my family. I’ll leave it for a few years from now,” he added.
Cucurella is currently tied down on a Chelsea contract until mid-2029, and FC Barcelona must keep this in mind at the negotiating table.