Chelsea have opened discussions with Juventus regarding a potential summer transfer for Italy international Andrea Cambiaso, following the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. The Blues are actively seeking a replacement for the Spanish left-back, who completed a £52m move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Cucurella was among several Chelsea players linked with an exit after a disappointing season that saw the club finish 10th in the Premier League. The 27-year-old, currently representing Spain at the World Cup, attracted interest from Barcelona, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid before Real Madrid swiftly secured a deal.
Chelsea had initially paid £60m to sign Cucurella from Brighton, a fee that raised eyebrows. However, he became a key figure at Stamford Bridge before his departure. His exit leaves Jorrel Hato as the only natural left-back in the squad, but the club does not intend to rely on the Netherlands international as a first-choice option following his inconsistent performances.
As a result, Chelsea have approached Juventus for Cambiaso, a 26-year-old defender who was strongly linked with Manchester City during the January transfer window. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Blues have made contact with the Serie A giants to discuss a deal. Reports in Italy also indicate that La Liga champions Barcelona have placed Cambiaso on their list of summer targets after failing to re-sign Cucurella. Como, managed by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are also interested in the player, who has made over 100 appearances for Juventus.
Reacting to Cucurella's transfer, former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf told BoyleSports: 'Marc Cucurella has been crucial to Chelsea over the past two or three years. Initially, I was very concerned when we signed him for £60m, it seemed insane, and I wondered what was going on at Chelsea. He wasn’t the player I expected to see, it was similar to his time at Brighton. But after that, he showed how important he is to the squad, he brought the spirit and aggressiveness that are a real symbol of Chelsea right now. He has served Chelsea very well. Chelsea fans shouldn’t be resentful towards him because he served the club.'
Former Chelsea star Glen Johnson added to Bet St George: 'Marc Cucurella is a big loss to Chelsea. He had a relatively stop-start beginning to his Chelsea career, but he then grew into it and looked like one of their best players. When a player knows the club and has adapted to the Premier League, you want them to stay around. But when a Spanish giant like Real Madrid comes calling, it is hard for a player to say no. I would have thought he would have liked to play under Xabi Alonso and look forward to the new two-to-three-year plan, but you can’t fault a player for wanting to go to Real Madrid.'
Cucurella spoke with incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso before his move to Real Madrid was confirmed, but the former Liverpool and Spain midfielder was unable to persuade him to stay. Alonso officially takes over at Stamford Bridge in July, replacing Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after just 106 days in the job.
