The Spain international has made clear his frustration with Chelsea's leadership decisions, and with no European qualification on offer this season, the club's chances of retaining the ir first-choice left back are slim. At least four clubs are monitoring the situation.
The Premier League Option
Manchester City represents the most straightforward route back to England for Cucurella, assuming Pep Guardiola's successor Enzo Maresca is indeed installed at the Etihad. The Italian's abrupt departure from Chelsea in January clearly unsettled several players, including Cucurella, who voiced concern at the time about the timing of the manager ial change.
"The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us," Cucurella said in April. "The se are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision." Whether Chelsea's hierarchy would sanction a sale to a direct rival remains to be seen.
City forked out roughly $43 million for Rayan Aït-Nouri last summer, only to see academy product Nico O'Reilly force his way into the side. The positional politics alone make this transfer feel unnecessarily complicated for a club that tends to operate with surgical precision.
The Barcelona Question
Barcelona presents the obvious sentimental choice. Cucurella spent seven years in the ir youth system before making his senior debut in 2017—a seven-minute cameo that proved to be his last appearance for the club.
As recently as March, Cucurella acknowledged the emotional weight of a potential return. "It would be difficult to reject an approach," he said while on international duty. "And not just for me. I would have to think about my family as well. If an offer comes, we will have to see what decision we would make."
Financial obstacles remain significant. Barcelona would only enter the market for a left back if either Alejandro Balde or Gerard Martín departs, or if João Cancelo's loan becomes permanent.
La Liga Alternatives
Real Madrid's left back situation has grown desperate. Ferland Mendy is expected to miss the entirety of next season with a torn tendon, Fran García lost his place due to poor form, and Álvaro Carreras' struggles are well documented—including a reported altercation with teammate Antonio Rüdiger. The position needs immediate solutions, and Cucurella fits the profile.
Atlético Madrid may be farthest along in the ir pursuit. Diego Simeone has just one recognized left back heading into next season and lacks the financial pressure to sell before buying. The Athletic reports the Rojiblancos are leading the chase—if that phrase still means anything in transfer journalism.
Cucurella's former Eibar coach José Luis Mendilibar once described him simply: "He's a footballer." That quality might be exactly what three of Spain's biggest clubs are currently lacking on the ir left flank.