Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Chelsea for the signing of Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella in a deal worth up to €60 million (£52 million), with the transfer expected to be completed after the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
According to reports, the agreement includes an initial fee of €55 million (£47.4 million), with a further €5 million (£4.3 million) tied to performance-related bonuses. Cucurella is expected to sign a six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabéu once Spain’s World Cup campaign comes to an end.
The 27-year-old defender, who is currently part of Spain’s squad at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, has emerged as one of Real Madrid’s top transfer targets as the club looks to strengthen its defensive options ahead of the new season.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that all parties have reached a verbal agreement, bringing an end to months of speculation surrounding the player’s future. Real Madrid reportedly beat competition from Barcelona and Atlético Madrid to secure the defender’s commitment.
Cucurella is set to leave Chelsea after four seasons at Stamford Bridge, where he made 150 appearances and helped the club win the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. He joined the Blues from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 in a deal worth around £63 million, making him one of the most expensive full-backs in football at the time.
Questions over his future intensified earlier this year after he publicly criticised Chelsea’s transfer policy, arguing that the club’s emphasis on signing young players had left the squad lacking the experience needed to challenge for major honours.
The Spanish international also expressed disappointment over the club’s decision to part ways with former manager Enzo Maresca, further fuelling speculation about a potential departure.
Real Madrid’s newly appointed manager José Mourinho is believed to have played a key role in securing the deal. The Portuguese coach reportedly identified Cucurella as a priority signing and personally pushed for negotiations to be concluded swiftly.
For Chelsea, the sale represents an opportunity to recover a significant portion of their investment while allowing a player eager to return to Spain to move on. The London club, now under the management of Xabi Alonso, had hoped to keep the defender but ultimately accepted his desire to seek a new challenge.
Cucurella, a member of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, remains focused on the World Cup before turning his attention to life in Madrid. Once the tournament concludes, he is expected to finalise the move and join a Real Madrid side that has already strengthened its squad ahead of the new campaign.
