Report: Chelsea target 23-years-old Spanish defender as Marcos Alonso replacement
According to latest reports via Goal, Chelsea are set for a massive defensive overhaul in the summer transfer window. With multiple players expected to run down their contracts, the reigning European champions have identified multiple defensive targets in Europe. One of them could be Marc Cucurella, as Thomas Tuchel braces himself for the potential exit of Marcos Alonso.
However, the Brighton & Hove Albion full-back has been identified as a potential replacement for Alonso, should he leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. The Spaniard’s current deal at Chelsea expires in 2023, and it won’t be surprising to see the Blues fancying a potential sale in an attempt to avoid letting another defender leave the club for free.
A product of the famed La Masia youth academy, Cucurella has been a part of the Brighton side since last summer when he joined the club in an €18 million move from Getafe. During his first season in England, the left-back has racked up 19 league appearances, becoming a first-choice option for coach Graham Potter.
Cucurella’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea among the clubs interested in the services of the Spaniard. As iterated earlier, the Brighton starlet is being identified as a potential replacement for Alonso, who is currently the club’s top-choice left-back in the absence of Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea were desperate to sign an alternative for Alonso in the January transfer window, but a majority of their top targets ended up moving elsewhere or remained put at their respective clubs. Alonso, for his part, had attracted interest from Atletico Madrid before they eventually settled for Reinildo Mandava.
Although a move to Atleti might not be a possibility anymore, the former Fiorentina ace is likely to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. A potential return to Serie A could be on the cards, with the player previously being linked with moves to Napoli and Lazio.
The addition of Cucurella, to that end, could prove to be a smart investment for the Blues. The 23-year-old Spaniard is very familiar with a wing-back system and offers experience at the highest level of football, given as he has made over 100 competitive appearances in La Liga.
However, Brighton are among the best in the business when it comes to extracting sizable value for their players. The former Barcelona youngster, therefore, could be set to cost a fortune, especially with Chelsea being a league rival. So, it won’t be surprising to see the Blues explore the market for other cost-effective alternatives next summer.