Xabi Alonso blow as key player quits Chelsea just days after praising new boss
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesXabi AlonsoChelsea has agreed to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, just days after the defender admitted he had been inspired by new Blues head coach Xabi Alonso's project at Stamford BridgeXabi Alonso is set to lose a key Chelsea player(Image: Getty Images)Chelsea has agreed a deal with Real Madrid to offload Marc Cucurella in a transfer valued at up to £51.7 million ($69.1 million).Sources confirm an upfront payment of £47.4 million ($63.4 million) has been settled upon, with around £4.3 million ($5.7 million) in performance-related bonuses. While the documentation is still being finalized, the transfer is expected to be completed this week, with Cucurella switching clubs after the World Cup.Chelsea, who has been linked with Darwin Nunez, wasn't actively looking to shift the defender, though Cucurella is believed to have been open to the right proposition and keen to depart Stamford Bridge.
The left-back had only put pen to paper on a new contract with the Blues last summer and retains three years on his current terms.Atletico Madrid had also shown interest in the Spain international, but it's Real that has secured the 27-year-old's services.Cucurella has racked up 150 outings since his switch from Brighton to Chelsea in 2022.The defender lifted the Conference League and Club World Cup while at the Blues and is presently representing Spain at the World Cup.Marc Cucurella is leaving Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)The development comes shortly after Cucurella admitted he had been "inspired" by Xabi Alonso's arrival at Chelsea. The project seems very interesting."Cucurella, however, remained tight-lipped over earlier transfer speculation, telling Marca: "I'm not reading much and I'm not paying much attention.
My agents already know they don't have to tell me anything."I'm very happy where I am, and so is my family. Whatever happens, happens."Right now, I'm focused on the World Cup and enjoying this experience, which is my first and who knows if it will be my last."The defender will now miss out on the chance to work under Alonso, as the manager heads to his former club before taking the reins at Stamford Bridge.The former Liverpool star held the Madrid hot seat for under a year, having first taken charge in May 2025.Alonso departed the Spanish club by mutual consent in January, just one day after suffering a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Xabi AlonsoChelsea FCLiverpool FCReal Madrid CFTransfers