Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella is reportedly open to returning to Barcelona this summer, with the 27-year-old ready to greenlight a move to his boyhood club. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish international would welcome interest from the Catalan giants as Chelsea enter another period of squad upheaval. The London club is understood to have valued the defender at €50 million, a figure that represents a significant portion of the €65 million total package paid to Brighton in 2022.
Leadership vacuum and squad instability
The potential departure of Cucurella arrives during a period of acute instability at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of manager Liam Rosenior in April 2026. This managerial churn has reportedly frustrated senior figures in the dressing room; speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville Suggested that both Cucurella and Enzo Fernández had become disillusioned following the earlier departure of Enzo Maresca. Cucurella, who remains under contract until at least 2028, recently addressed the links to Spain by acknowledging the personal pull of the Camp Nou. "It would be difficult to reject Barça," he stated in an interview reported by Fichajes. "I would have to think about my family as well."
Financial hurdles and tactical fit
While Chelsea may be willing to negotiate, Barcelona’s ongoing Financial Fair Play restrictions present a significant barrier to a €50 million deal. The La Liga side would likely need to sanction the sale of a high-value asset, such as Jules Koundé or Andreas Christensen, to facilitate the transfer of a 27-year-old. From Chelsea's perspective, the timing is delicate; Cucurella was a focal point of the 2024/25 campaign, making 54 appearances and contributing 10 goal involvements. However, with the club at risk of missing Champions League qualification and Fernández also linked with a move to Real Madrid, the hierarchy may view the €50 million fee as essential for PSR compliance and squad restructuring under a new permanent manager.
The defender was recently seen in Madrid alongside Fernández and Jude Bellingham, further intensifying speculation regarding his future in the Premier League.