Marc Cucurella to Manchester City or Barcelona? Chelsea Name Their Price
Chelsea have confirmed they are prepared to sell Marc Cucurella this summer, providing their valuation is met, with the Blues placing a price tag of around €70 million (roughly £61m) on the Spanish left-back. According to talkSPORT and corroborated by The Metro, both Manchester City and Barcelona have lined up summer moves for the defender, with the race for his signature already beginning to heat up. The Athletic has separately confirmed that Cucurella is willing to leave Chelsea after their deeply disappointing 10th-place Premier League finish. Although the 27-year-old signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge only last summer and still has three seasons remaining on his deal, his desire for a fresh start looks increasingly genuine.
Marc Cucurella to Manchester City Gets Complicated by Spanish Rivals
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have both made contact with Chelsea officials about a possible deal, while Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the situation without yet moving formally. Chelsea reportedly offered the player to Barcelona earlier in 2026 in a deal valued at around €40 million, while Atletico Madrid were said to be preparing a bid of €55 million in February, which means Chelsea’s current asking price sits considerably above what has been tabled so far.
Born in Catalonia and a La Masia academy graduate, Cucurella carries no shortage of emotional pull toward a Spanish return, and Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has reportedly made contact with his representatives. Any deal with Barcelona, though, likely depends on the Catalans first offloading one of their own defensive options, with Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde both available.
Marc Cucurella to Manchester City Hinges on Maresca’s Vision
Reports from journalist Simon Phillips indicate that incoming City manager Enzo Maresca has held direct talks with Cucurella about a possible move to the Etihad, with the two having built a strong working relationship during Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea. Chelsea would ideally prefer to sell abroad rather than strengthen a domestic rival, though the financial reality is that City may be better placed to meet the asking price. However, a move to City is considered unlikely by some outlets due to the presence of Nico O’Reilly, who already fills the left-back position.
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Opinion: Does Maresca Really Need Him and What Happens Next?
Maresca knows Cucurella better than most managers ever will. He trusted him at Stamford Bridge, played him consistently, and built a tactical system that suited his inversion and carrying ability. So the instinct to take him to City feels understandable, almost natural. But instinct and squad logic are different things, and at the Etihad, Maresca inherits a squad that does not scream left-back emergency.
With Josko Gvardiol still at the club as a potential option at left-back, the urgency for Cucurella specifically is debatable. City’s summer priority, as things stand, points firmly toward midfield, with sporting director Hugo Viana backing Maresca to strengthen centrally, and Elliot Anderson emerging as the clearest first target. Cucurella would be a luxury signing in that context, not a necessity.
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The final fate most likely takes Cucurella back to Spain. Barcelona represent the romantic option, and the economics could work if they move Balde on. Atletico, by contrast, are operationally quicker and financially more predictable as a buying club. City remains a genuine possibility only if Maresca decides the tactical fit outweighs the optics of buying from a direct rival. Chelsea, meanwhile, will hold firm at their valuation for as long as they can, knowing at least three clubs want the player. With Marc Cucurella to Manchester City increasingly uncertain, Spain may well win this race before August ends.
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