21 May 2026 21:02 BST | 5 min read
Chelsea TNT, Joao Pedro
© IMAGO
All the latest Chelsea transfer news in one place, including updates on Edmond Tapsoba, Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella.
Atletico Madrid target Cucurella
Atletico Madrid have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Marc Cucurella this summer, with the Spain international potentially set to leave Chelsea ahead of the 2026-27 campaign." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/05/chelsea-transfer-news-marc-cucurella-atletico-madrid-barcelona-summer-2026-xabi-alonso" target="_blank">Atletico Madrid have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Marc Cucurella this summer, with the Spain international potentially set to leave Chelsea ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Marc Cucurella
© IMAGO - Marc Cucurella
The 27-year-old has been one of the Blues’ standout performers over the past few seasons, but he has been heavily linked with a return to La Liga in recent weeks and he hinted that an exit could be on the cards in March.
Speaking while on international duty with Spain, Cucurella admitted that he would be open to rejoining Barcelona amid reported interest from Hansi Flick’s side. “You always think about going back. I'm very happy there [in London], and so is my family. I'll leave it for a few years from now," he said.
“It would be difficult to refuse [if Barcelona made an offer],” he then admitted. “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.”
Alonso responds to Chelsea stars departure threats
Xabi Alonso has responded to reports suggesting that Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella could all leave Chelsea this summer." href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/05/chelsea-transfer-news-joao-pedro-barcelona-xabi-alonso-summer-2026" target="_blank">Xabi Alonso has responded to reports suggesting that Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella could all leave Chelsea this summer.
Enzo Fernandez
© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez
Alonso was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager from July but a number of their most important players have been linked with exits over the past few months, with Fernandez wanted by Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid interested in Cucurella and Pedro on Barcelona’s radar.
Asked by Spanish outlet El Chiringuito TV about rumoured interest in Fernandez, Cucurella and Pedro, Alonso simply said: “That’s football. We'll make a good team.”
He added: “I was always open to it, and, well, it’s a beautiful project. Chelsea is a nice project, it’s a very good option.”
Barcelona refuse to rule out Pedro transfer
Barcelona director Deco has refused to rule out a move for Joao Pedro this summer after the departure of Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski will draw time on his time at Barca when his contract expires at the end of the season and Deco was asked about interest in Pedro or Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.
“It’s not about profile. We’re not ruling anyone out, nor are we signing anyone,” Deco told Mundo Deportivo" href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20260521/1004185967/deco-imposible-sustituir-lewandowski-momento-tomar-decisiones.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo. “Now it’s time to make decisions and start strengthening the team.”
“These are internal matters. What we have to guarantee is that we’ll work as we do every year. We’ve lost a very important player like Robert, and of course we’re going to try to strengthen the team.”
Alonso eyes Tabsoba reunion
Xabi Alonso could eye a reunion with one of his Bayer Leverkusen stars at Chelsea in order to solve one of his new club’s biggest squad issues.
Edmond Tapsoba
© IMAGO - Edmond Tapsoba
Chelsea are desperate to add a central defender to their ranks this summer and TEAMtalk" href="https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/transfer-news-plot-move-reunite-xabi-alonso-with-6ft-4in-leverkusen-powerhouse-tapsoba-exclusive" target="_blank">TEAMtalk report that the Blues are ‘weighing up’ a move for Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba.
The 27-year-old was part of Alonso’s Leverkusen team that won the Bundesliga unbeaten two years ago and Chelsea have held a long-standing interest in Tapsoba, seeing the Burkinese international as someone who ‘perfectly’ fits their new transfer strategy.
However, Leverkusen would demand a ‘substantial’ fee to part ways with Tapsoba after he signed a new long-term contract last month.
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