The trajectory of Marc Cucurella’s career at Chelsea has been far from smooth since his £65m move from Brighton in 2022. Hindered by ankle surgery and stiff competition in the squad, the 25-year-old has found himself spending as much time on the bench as on the pitch this season.
Behind Ben Chilwell at left-back and with Levi Colwill also favored by manager Mauricio Pochettino earlier in the season, Cucurella has struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup.
Reports suggest that Chelsea are open to parting ways with Cucurella at the end of the season, and the player himself is keen on leaving England altogether. His dissatisfaction with his situation in the Premier League has led him to seek a return to LaLiga, instructing his agents to explore potential opportunities in Spain.
Several clubs, including Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Girona, Valencia, and Getafe, have reportedly shown interest in Cucurella. Despite the significant transfer fee paid by Chelsea for his services, his diminished value due to his lack of playing time means that any potential deal is likely to involve a loan arrangement initially, with Chelsea potentially subsidizing a portion of his salary.
While this could ultimately result in a permanent exit from Chelsea, it is expected that the transfer fee will fall far below the initial £65m paid to Brighton, representing a considerable loss for the Blues in terms of their investment in Cucurella.