Man City in shock approach for Chelsea flop Man Utd were also looking into signing
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester City previously attempted to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, but the Blues wanted to keep him at the club.
Cucurella’s career was on the up from the start of his time at Brighton. Indeed, he had a good season in 2021/22, the first campaign after his move from Getafe – he scored once and assisted once as the Seagulls finished ninth in the Premier League.
The left-back’s impact was also clear beyond those statistics, as he was voted both player of the season and players’ player of the season.
As is often the case with breakthrough players at Brighton, Cucurella’s good performances earned him a move to a big side, as he left for Chelsea in a £62million move.
Things have not worked out all too well for the left-back at Stamford Bridge yet. Cucurella played 24 league games last season, with Ben Chilwell the clear favourite on the left side of defence when fit.
So far this season, Cucurella has played just one game – a League Cup match against Wimbledon. That was one hindrance for his potential move to Manchester United.
Indeed, United, needing cover for the injured Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, pursued Cucurella, but that the Blues had played him in the cup meant the Spaniard wouldn’t have been available for some games in which he would have been needed.
The Red Devils were reportedly “unhappy” that Chelsea had played him, and instead opted to sign Sergio Reguilon on loan.
Chelsea had an opportunity to ship out Cucurella to another big side who identified him as a potentially useful asset in a shock move previously.
Indeed, transfer insider Romano has confirmed Man City wanted to take him off the Blues’ hands despite his lack of form since making the switch to the club.
“It is true, however, that Manchester City approached Chelsea at the beginning of January with a loan proposal for Marc Cucurella,” Romano told Caught Offside.
“It also included a buy option clause, not mandatory. Chelsea rejected as they wanted to keep Cucurella at the club, and since that moment nothing else happened with Cucurella and Man City.”
At the time, it made sense that Chelsea wanted to keep Cucurella, as it hadn’t been long since he joined for a big fee, so they would have been hopeful he would have found his feet at some point.
What’s more, Chilwell was not long since back from a lengthy period on the sidelines, and another injury would have meant the former Brighton man would have been required.
Were City to come in now, with Cucurella failing to perform and not even being picked in the league this season, the Blues might have considered letting him go.
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