Manchester United are considering a surprise move for Marc Cucurella after he reportedly informed Chelsea he wants to leave this summer.
Cucurella is one of several Chelsea players who have been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge since the end of the season.
A number of Chelsea stars are considering their futures in west London after the Blues finished just 10th in the Premier League, failing to qualify for not only the Champions League but any European competition.
Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea spent £60m to sign Cucurella from Brighton in 2022 but the Spain international has developed into a key player, making over 50 appearances in each of the last two seasons.
All the World Cup action
Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here.
Cucurella was critical of the Chelsea board earlier in the season and has now informed the club he wishes to leave this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish outlet claim Cucurella has ‘no intention’ of staying at Chelsea and considers his time at the Premier League club ‘completely over’.
Cucurella is prioritising a move to Barcelona, where he started his career as a youth player, but has admirers from several other European clubs.
Manchester City and Atletico Madrid are known admirers of Cucurella but it is claimed Manchester United are also been ‘closely monitoring’ his situation.
United are targeting a new left-back this summer as they look to provide cover and competition for Luke Shaw ahead of their return to Europe.
Chelsea reportedly accept it is in the best interest of all parties for Cucurella to leave in the upcoming transfer window but would demand a fee of between 40 and 50m euros.
While Cucurella is dreaming of a move to the Nou Camp, Barcelona currently have other priorities as they look for a top striker to replace Robert Lewandowski.
Barca have previously been linked with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro but the Blues are expected to rebuff any approaches for the Brazil international.
Hansi Flick appreciates Cucurella but Barcelona will only make an official bid if fellow Spain international Alejandro Balde departs.
Cucurella’s focus is currently on Spain’s World Cup campaign and is happy to wait until after the tournament to finalise his future plans.
Chelsea are aware Cucurella is not the only player who wants to leave this summer, with Enzo Fernandez and Filip Jorgensen also handing in transfer requests.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.