Chelsea star told he should complete summer transfer by team-mate

Marc Cucurella faces an uncertain future at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Marc Pubill says he has encouraged Marc Cucurella to leave Chelsea and join him at Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window.

Cucurella has enjoyed four seasons with Chelsea having signed from Brighton in a £63million move back in 2022 – a deal that saw him become the most expensive left-back in football history.

In that time, he has made 163 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, bouncing back from a challenging debut season to help the club win the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup .

However, doubts have intensified over Cucurella’s future in recent weeks, with the Spaniard criticising Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca while also highlighting a lack of experience in the squad .

It’s hoped Xabi Alonso ’s impending arrival will see the return of some much-needed stability at Stamford Bridge, but questions remain over Cucurella’s long-term commitment to the Blues.

According to The Athletic , Barcelona and Atleti have both been in contact with people working on behalf of Cucurella to gauge whether a summer agreement might be feasible for the 27-year-old.

It’s claimed Cucurella is ‘willing’ to leave in the transfer market – despite putting pen to paper on a new deal less than 12 months ago – and Chelsea would not stand in his way if a potential suitor matched their valuation.

Chelsea are open to selling Cucurella for the right price (Picture: Getty)

Pubill (left) and Cucurella (right) are getting ready to represent Spain at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

And with Atleti viewed as ‘one of the more likely sides’ to sign Cucurella, it appears the Chelsea star would be welcomed with open arms by Diego Simeone’s squad.

‘Have you already told Marc Cucurella to come to Atletico Madrid with you?’, Pubill was asked at Spain’s World Cup training camp this week, to which the defender replied:’Yes, of course, I’ve already told him!’

Asked what Cucurella said in response, Pubill replied, ‘Nothing,’ with a wry smile etched across his face.

🎙️Marc Pubill, sobre Cucurella ¿Le has dicho ya que se venga contigo al Atleti? "Sí, claro. Ya se lo he dicho" 🔝🔝🔝 pic.twitter.com/IJ4ClAJieN — Gonzalo Palafox (@GonzaloPalafox) June 1, 2026

Atleti sporting director Mateu Alemany is said to be at the forefront of the club’s pursuit of Cucurella and has personally spoken to left-back’s inner circle surrounding a proposed move to from London to Madrid.

The La Liga giants have identified left-back as a key area of focus ahead of the summer transfer window, despite Matteo Ruggeri enjoying a promising debut season at the Metropolitano.

Back in February, Cucurella spoke candidly about the possibility of one day returning to Spanish football having come through the academy ranks at Barcelona as a youngster.

Asked about a return to his homeland, Cucurella replied: ‘Spain is always Spain. It is where I grew up and you always think about going back.

Cucurella has two years remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

‘But I would [prefer to] leave it for a few years down the line. I am very happy here and it is a great life experience.’

Pressed specifically about a potential move to Barca, Cucurella replied: ‘It is clear if that situation did arise, it is hard to turn down, but I would have to consider it in the end.

‘It is not just me, I also have to think about my family and together we would have to decide what’s best for us.

‘As I have said before, right now I am not thinking about that. If it comes, it will come, and we will see what decision is made.’

Cucurella’s current contract with Chelsea is not due to expire until June 2028.

Cucurella is by no means the only Chelsea player facing an uncertain future, with Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez also the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks and months.

When ambushed in the street by El Chiringuito de Jugones last month, Alonso was unable to categorically to rule out the idea that any of the trio could be sold .

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