Chelsea open talks to sign £55m Barcelona target after Marc Cucurella transfer

Chelsea agreed to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have contacted Juventus to discuss a summer deal for Italy international Andrea Cambiaso after selling Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid .

The Blues are searching the transfer market for a replacement for Cucurella after the Spaniard joined Real Madrid in a deal worth £52m .

Cucurella was one of several Chelsea players linked with a summer move following a disappointing season for the Blues, who finished just 10th in the Premier League .

The 27-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup with Spain, was linked with Barcelona, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid before Real Madrid quickly agreed a deal with Chelsea .

Still got it (Picture: MB Media/Getty Images)

Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea spent £60m to sign Cucurella from Brighton but he had established himself as a key member of the squad by the time he left Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella’s exit leaves Jorrel Hato as Chelsea’s only viable option at left-back but the Blues do not intend to go into the new season with the Netherlands international as their first-choice in that position following his indifferent start in west London .

As a result Chelsea have started looking for Cucurella’s replacement and made an approach to Juventus for Italian defender Cambiaso.

Juventus and Italy defender Andrea Cambiaso (Picture: Getty)

According to Gianluca Di Marzio , Chelsea have made contact with the Serie A giants to discuss a possible deal for the 26-year-old, who was strongly linked with Manchester City during the January transfer window .

Reports in Italy say La Liga champions Barcelona have also placed Cambiaso on their list of potential summer targets after failing to bring Cucurella back to the Nou Camp.

Fellow Italian side Como, managed by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are also interested in Cambiaso, who has made over 100 appearances for Juve.

Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)

Reacting to Cucurella’s move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, ex-Blues defender Frank Leboeuf told BoyleSports : ‘Marc Cucurella has been crucial to Chelsea over the past two or three years.

‘Initially, I was very concerned when we signed him for £60m, it seemed insane, and I wondered what was going on at Chelsea.

‘He wasn’t the player I expected to see, it was similar to his time at Brighton. But after that, he showed how important he is to the squad, he brought the spirit and aggressiveness that are a real symbol of Chelsea right now.

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‘He has served Chelsea very well. Chelsea fans shouldn’t be resentful towards him because he served the club.’

Former Stamford Bridge star Glen Johnson added to Bet St George : ‘Marc Cucurella is a big loss to Chelsea.

‘He had a relatively stop-start beginning to his Chelsea career, but he then grew into it and looked like one of their best players.

‘When a player knows the club and has adapted to the Premier League, you want them to stay around. But when a Spanish giant like Real Madrid comes calling, it is hard for a player to say no.

‘I would have thought he would have liked to play under Xabi Alonso and look forward to the new two-to-three-year plan, but you can’t fault a player for wanting to go to Real Madrid.’

Cucurella spoke to incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso before his move to Real Madrid was confirmed but the former Liverpool and Spain midfielder was unable to persuade him to stay.

Alonso officially takes over at Stamford Bridge in July and replaces Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after just 106 days in the job.