The possibility of a homecoming for Marc Cucurella is gaining traction as the summer transfer window approaches. The Chelsea defender, now 27, has spent the last few years in London, but recent developments at Stamford Bridge and a series of candid comments suggest his time in the Premier League might be nearing its end.
And the destination could be the club that he grew up in: FC Barcelona.
Ahead of the Spain-Egypt match in Cornellà-El Prat, Cucurella didn’t shy away from the idea of a return to his
roots. He admitted that “it would be difficult to reject” a move back to Catalonia, and noted that he “would have to think about my family.”
He left the door open by adding that “if it comes, it will come, and we will see the decision that is made.”
But the path back to the Camp Nou isn’t entirely clear. While Cucurella has expressed a sentimental attachment to the club where he grew up, there hasn’t been formal contact with Deco yet.
Enzo Maresca’s departure has left a void. The manager musical chairs, from Maresca to Liam Rosenior to a new, soon-to-be-announced replacement, may have changed the outlook for some players. That may be part of why Mundo Deportivo reported that Cucurella is considering a move away if a convincing offer arrives. Regardless of the coach, there is also the European factor, as the team looks likely to miss out on UEFA Champions League football next season.
Chelsea originally paid around £60 million for the left-back in 2022, but they are unlikely to recoup that entire investment. A starting price of around 50 million euros has been suggested. FFP is an important piece of the puzzle, both in terms of selling for Chelsea (that lack of UCL income could be a factor) and in terms of buying for Barcelona.
The Catalan club would likely need to make a significant sale in the defensive line before they could realistically register a new high-profile signing.
Hansi Flick has been experimenting with his backline, often utilizing João Cancelo on the left, while Alejandro Balde has struggled to find his best form. Gerard Martín, another left-back option, has recently been deployed more as a center-back by Flick. This leaves a potential opening, though the club has other priorities to address first.
