Marc Cucurella’s Failed Move to Manchester City
Despite reaching an agreement with Marc Cucurella on personal terms, Brighton did not grant permission for the player to join Premier League champions Manchester City. This decision came after City deemed Brighton’s valuation of Cucurella to be exaggerated, ultimately ending the negotiations. However, another high-profile club, Chelsea, quickly emerged as a potential destination for the talented player.
Brighton’s Valuation and City’s Withdrawal
Brighton demanded a hefty price tag of $61 million for Cucurella to switch clubs, despite signing him just a year ago from Getafe for $20 million. The player’s impressive debut season in English football, where he was voted as the club’s “Player of the Year,” sparked interest from several top clubs. However, City’s final bid fell $10 million short of Brighton’s demands, leading them to drop out of the negotiations.
Chelsea’s Pursuit of Defensive Reinforcements
With their pursuit of Joules Kounde unsuccessful, as the player opted to sign for FC Barcelona, Chelsea is now actively searching for defensive reinforcements. Among the potential candidates on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist are Wesley Fofana from Leicester City and Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milano. However, securing Fofana could be a costly endeavor, as Leicester values the center-back at approximately $100 million. To facilitate a move, Chelsea may consider including one of their current players in a potential deal.
Potential Departures from Chelsea
Chelsea could potentially see the departure of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, as both players have expressed a desire to play for Barcelona and have been promised an opportunity to do so. The club’s failure to secure the signings of Kounde and Raphinha, coupled with the recent departure of Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, has strained the relationship between Chelsea’s new owners and Barcelona.
Chelsea’s Title Aspirations
Bookmakers currently rank Chelsea as the third-favorite to win the Premier League title this season, behind Manchester City and Liverpool. With odds of +1300, the Blues sit ahead of Tottenham and Manchester United in the race for the championship. Furthermore, those who believe in Chelsea’s capabilities may consider placing a bet on the team achieving the Premier League and FA Cup double, which stands at +8000. An unprecedented treble, including the Champions League trophy, could result in a massive payout of +50000.
Conclusion
The failed move of Marc Cucurella from Brighton to Manchester City opened the door for Chelsea to potentially secure the services of the talented player. As Chelsea continues its search for defensive reinforcements, Wesley Fofana and Denzel Dumfries are among the potential targets. However, Chelsea’s pursuit may come at a cost, as Leicester values Fofana at a high price. Meanwhile, potential departures from Chelsea, coupled with the strained relationship between the club’s new owners and Barcelona, add an extra layer of uncertainty to the transfer market. As the Premier League season unfolds, Chelsea aims to surpass expectations and challenge for the title.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Brighton refuse to sell Cucurella to Manchester City?
Brighton valued Cucurella at $61 million and considered Manchester City’s offer to be below their asking price. As a result, they declined to sell the player.
2. Which club is currently leading the race to sign Cucurella?
Following Manchester City’s withdrawal, Chelsea has emerged as a potential destination for Cucurella and is actively pursuing a deal for the player.
3. Who are the other defensive targets on Chelsea’s radar?
Aside from Cucurella, Chelsea is considering Wesley Fofana from Leicester City and Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milano as potential defensive reinforcements.
4. Are there any players that Chelsea is looking to offload?
Chelsea may potentially see the departure of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta, as both players have expressed a desire to play for Barcelona and were promised an opportunity to do so.
5. What are Chelsea’s odds of winning the Premier League title?
According to bookmakers, Chelsea is currently ranked as the third-favorite to win the Premier League title this season, with odds of +1300.
