By Stephen Simon
Real Madrid have completed the signing of Spanish defender Marc Cucurella from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth an initial €55 million, the Spanish giants announced on Monday.
While Madrid did not disclose the financial details of the transfer, reports indicate that the agreement includes an additional €5 million in performance-related add-ons.
Cucurella becomes Real Madrid’s first signing of the summer transfer window, although the club is also expected to add several other high-profile players in the coming weeks. Reports suggest Madrid have reached agreements to sign Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva.
The 27-year-old defender’s arrival comes shortly after the club appointed José Mourinho as head coach following the departure of Álvaro Arbeloa. Mourinho is understood to have played a significant role in convincing Cucurella to make the move to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Cucurella is currently with the Spanish national team in the United States ahead of their World Cup opener against Cabo Verde in Atlanta.
Madrid are also expected to strengthen further, with Konaté and Silva reportedly set to join upon the expiration of their contracts with Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, while the club is planning to activate a €20 million clause to sign Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.
The defender had attracted interest from several Spanish clubs, including Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Barcelona reportedly explored the possibility of bringing back their former academy graduate but shifted focus to other transfer priorities.
Atlético Madrid were believed to be more advanced in their pursuit, but Real Madrid moved swiftly in recent days to secure the player’s signature following Mourinho’s return to the club.
Cucurella’s move adds another intriguing subplot to next season’s Clásico encounters. Born in Catalonia, he emerged through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and made a single senior appearance for the club in a Copa del Rey match during the 2017-18 campaign.
After loan spells with Eibar and Getafe, he joined Getafe permanently before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea signed him in 2022 in a deal worth around €65 million, and he now returns to Spain as a Real Madrid player.
