Marc Cucurella has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent months, with Manchester City and Manchester United keen.
Marc Cucurella has not been able to live up to the expectations since his £62 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion. And clubs like Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad and Sevilla were all keen on signing earlier this summer. However, Fabrizio Romano claims that Manchester City tried to sign the player back in January.
The Premier League champions were hoping to add more depth and quality to their defence. And they identified the Spanish defender as a potential option. After selling Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, Manchester City needed to add more depth to the left-back position, and Cucurella would have been a quality acquisition for them.
Their attacking philosophy would have been ideal fit for the struggling defender as well. The Spaniard thrived at Brighton & Hove Albion in their attacking approach. But the move to Chelsea has not gone according to plan.
A number of clubs tried to sign him this summer, including Manchester United. And it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to return for him during the January window as well. A move to Manchester City would certainly have been an exciting option for the player.
Marc Cucurella deal collapsed ❌🔴
◉ #CFC and player rejected break clause.
◉ United not happy with Carabao Cup presence.
◉ Cucu rejected loan to Atléti, Leipzig, Real Sociedad, Sevilla.
◉ City secret approach in January turned down by Chelsea.More: https://t.co/TVg9j3yJtO pic.twitter.com/klcRVRSaG5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 8, 2023
The Premier League champions have a proven track record of challenging for major trophies every season. And Cucurella would have enjoyed playing under a world-class manager like Pep Guardiola as well.
At Chelsea, he is in a side that is going through a transitional period, and the Blues failed to secure UEFA Champions League qualification last season. They finished 12th in the league table, and the start to the new campaign has not been ideal either. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen are ahead of him in th epecking order.
Also Read: Chelsea Summer Transfer Window Verdict 2023
It will be interesting to see if Cucurella can get back to his best and hold down a regular starting spot at Chelsea this season. Currently, England international Ben Chilwell is ahead of him in the pecking order and he will hope to overtake the former Leicester City defender and establish himself as a key player for Mauricio Pochettino.
