Real Madrid have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, and Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Los Blancos have all credited with a strong interest.
It comes after Cucurella went public with his frustrations surrounding decisions being made at Stamford Bridge, with the 27-year-old questioning the dismissal of former manager Enzo Maresca while also pointing to a lack of experience in the dressing room.
Barca, where Cucurella rose through the academy ranks as a youngster, were thought to have wrestled themselves into pole position for the left-back, six years on from his departure at the Camp Nou.
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However, bitter rivals Madrid have leapfrogged the La Liga champions in this summer’s fiercely contested transfer race – and it appears Cucurella has played his final match for Chelsea.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Madrid now have a verbal agreement in place with all parties, including Cucurella himself, and the full-back will be expected to complete his move once Spain’s involvement at the World Cup has concluded.
More to follow.