In a surprising turn of events, it has come to light that Manchester City is reportedly interested in acquiring the services of a struggling Chelsea defender, Marc Cucurella. This revelation marks a stark contrast to the circumstances a year ago when Chelsea had just secured Cucurella’s signature, much to their delight, ahead of Manchester City’s pursuit.
Fast forward to the present day, and Chelsea seems eager to part ways with the left-back, whose fortunes have taken a downturn. The club came close to sending him out on loan on the last day of the transfer window, yet uncertainty lingers over his future at Stamford Bridge.
What’s intriguing is that there appear to have been early indications of Cucurella’s potential departure as far back as January. In an exclusive report for Caughtoffside, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Manchester City had made an attempt to secure Cucurella on loan during the winter transfer window, six months after their initial failed bid in the summer.
Romano stated, “However, it is true that Manchester City made an offer to loan Marc Cucurella to Chelsea at the beginning of January. It also had a choice to buy, which was not required. Chelsea said no because they wanted Cucurella to stay with them, and since then, nothing else has happened between Cucurella and Man City.”
The revelation that Manchester City persisted in their pursuit of Cucurella, even in the midst of Chelsea’s struggles with the player, raises questions about the left-back’s perceived value and potential. Chelsea’s reluctance to part with him in January suggests they still see potential in his abilities, despite his recent struggles.
Nevertheless, Cucurella’s hefty price tag and substantial wages present a significant obstacle to any potential permanent transfer. Chelsea may opt for the strategy of sending him out on loan to other clubs, similar to some of their past high-profile signings that failed to live up to expectations. This approach could allow Cucurella to regain his form and confidence while potentially creating an opportunity for Chelsea to recoup some of their investment in the future.