Cucurella, the summer mess: liked by everyone, but not cheap

Atlético de Madrid

FC Barcelona

The name Marc Cucurella is starting to sound loudly in the market…  The Chelsea left back is on the agenda of Atlético de Madrid, fitting what Simeone wants, and Barça is also watching from the sidelines.

The mattress makers’ idea is clear: the left wing needs a serious reinforcement. Simeone has been testing solutions for a while, improvising pieces and patching up an area that demands a fixed player, with stamina and energy. Cucurella fits that profile quite well: intensity, back and forth runs, and a competitive spirit.

Then reality hits. Chelsea paid a fortune for him and won’t let him go easily. He has a contract until 2028 and a price that hovers around 50 million. 

That is where the dilemma begins for Atlético. Yes, the player is very much liked, but the operation is economically complicated, and signing Cucurella may mean not strengthening other positions. It’s not just signing him, it’s seeing what it allows you to do afterwards in the other positions that need coverage.

And Barça appears in the story. Cucurella came from La Masia, knows the club, and there’s always that buzz about a “return home” which sells very well in Barcelona. The problem is that one thing is the feeling…and another is the real squad needs.

Atlético has a different argument: here he would be a starter, an important piece and a key player for Simeone’s system. At Barça, right now, he would have more competition and less guaranteed protagonism, unless Balde leaves and they fail to sign Cancelo.

Mateu Alemany has ahead of him a complicated operation. One that could mark the summer if it goes through… or remain just an interest if the numbers don’t add up.

In the end, it all comes down to this: Chelsea doesn’t give anything away, Barça pushes because of history, and Atlético has to decide whether to take the leap or get off the train.

Meanwhile, Cucurella, watching how his name becomes one of the first soap operas of the market, waiting to debut in the World Cup and revalue, if possible, even more the transfer.