Chelsea’s tough stance cools summer transfer interest – White flag raised

Last week, Sport Witness covered a front page report from Spain on Barcelona’s interest in Chelsea‘s Marc Cucurella.

The source stated the left-back wants to leave Chelsea after turmoil following Enzo Maresca’s exit in January.

This report emerged days after the Spanish press initially covered Barcelona’s desire to snatch him from Chelsea.

Hansi Flick has Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martín as the two left-backs at the Camp Nou and there’s been claims of Barca being open to Balde’s sale.

Cucurella isn’t the only one on the La Liga winners’ radar for the left-back position. The latest claims from Brazil cover their interest in AS Monaco’s Caio Henrique.

Signing Chelsea star complicated

Sport relay the Brazilian claims and then point out how Barcelona and AS Monaco could work out a potential deal.

Barca’s Ansu Fati is on loan at the Ligue 1 side, and the winger could be used in any talks for Caio Henrique.

The Catalan club also have Marc Cucurella and Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo on their short list.

Claims have said the Spain international wants to leave Stamford Bridge after this season. However, it’ll be difficult for the fullback to return to Barcelona in the next window.

Sport state Barca will find it complicated to sign the 27-year-old Chelsea player due to his price.

Mundo Deportivo also relay claims of Henrique as an option for the Spanish giants and then talk about Cucurella.

The Blues defender was initially their priority target but Chelsea have now set a high price for him. There’s no mention of the figure but whatever it is, that’s enough for Barcelona to cool their interest.

Hansi Flick’s side seem to have given up on him and are now focusing on alternatives like Grimaldo.

Our take: Spaniard should stay at Chelsea

Marc Cucurella has a contract until 2028, and Transfermarkt value him at €50m.

It’s unclear whether any of the top European clubs would be able to meet Chelsea’s price for Marc Cucurella. Therefore, he should continue at the English capital beyond the next window.

The fullback has played 3,437 minutes from 45 matches for the Premier League side this season.