Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho strike ‘verbal agreement’ to sign wantaway Chelsea star

Real Madrid have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.

Cucurella’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, and Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Los Blancos have all credited with a strong interest.

It comes after Cucurella went public with his frustrations surrounding key decisions being made at Stamford Bridge, with the 27-year-old questioning the dismissal of former manager Enzo Maresca while also pointing to a lack of experience in the dressing room.

Barca, where Cucurella rose through the academy ranks as a youngster, were thought to have wrestled themselves into pole position for the left-back, six years on from his departure at the Camp Nou.

However, bitter rivals Madrid have leapfrogged the La Liga champions in this summer’s fiercely contested transfer race – and it appears a certainty that Cucurella has played his final match for Chelsea.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Madrid now – ‘out of nowhere’ – have a verbal agreement in place with all parties, including Cucurella himself, and the full-back will complete his move once Spain’s involvement at the World Cup has concluded.

It’s claimed Madrid have agreed to pay ‘more than €50million (£43m)’ to land the sought-after Euro 2024 winner.

Jose Mourinho is said to have made it clear to Madrid’s hierarchy that Cucurella was his favoured target at left-back, with a host of high-profile names linked to the Bernabeu on the back of the club’s disappointing campaign.

Recent reports indicated Chelsea would be demanding a fee in the region of €70million (£61m) for Cucurella, who is believed to have handed in a transfer request.

Prior to Spain’s World Cup opener with Cape Verde, Cucurella played down speculation that he was unhappy at Chelsea and keen to leave the west London outfit.

‘It’s true that I’m very happy where I am, I’m very happy, my family is very happy.

‘Whatever you do, don’t drive me crazy [with transfer questions]. I don’t like to be burdened with worries. I already have enough with what I have, without adding any more.’

Asked further whether he was attracted to Xabi Alonso’s project at Chelsea, Cucurella explained: ‘Yes. I’ve spoken with him and he inspired a lot of confidence in me.

‘I’ve also spoken with [Alejandro] Grimaldo and Borja [Iglesias], who have worked with him, and they spoke very highly of him. The project seems very interesting.’

But despite Cucurella’s glowing praise, appears Alonso will not be given the chance to manage his fellow countryman next season.

Last month, Alonso was unable to rule out the possibility of Chelsea cashing in on Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez or Cucurella when cornered by the Spanish press in the street.

Instead, the former Liverpool midfielder reassured Chelsea fans that he would be doing everything in his power to ‘make a good team’.

‘This is football, and we’ll make a good team,’ Alonso said when pressed on the incessant rumours and speculation surrounding Chelsea’s top stars.