Chelsea boss Pochettino provides update on Cucurella to Man Utd
Tom Hancock
- 29 Aug 2023 15:13 BST
- 3 min read
Rumoured Manchester United transfer target Marc Cucurella is still very much a Chelsea player, says head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The Spanish defender has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge just a year after joining the Blues from Brighton in a deal worth up to £62m.
And, according to reports in Spain earlier this week, Man Utd are closing in on Cucurella, 25, with deadline day looming.
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But Pochettino won’t be drawn on speculation surrounding Cucurella’s future, insisting that the former Barcelona and Getafe player remains in his plans.
Ahead of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Round Two tie at home to AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday night, Pochettino told reporters: “Tomorrow, he is able to play and the club hasn't informed me of his situation.”
However, Cucurella has yet to feature in any of the Blues first three games of the 2023/24 campaign – having missed the back end of last season through injury.
He has made 33 appearances for Chelsea in all, having caught the eye in his one season with Brighton.
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Chelsea to make a big loss?
And Cucurella may not be United’s only defensive target: the 13-time Premier League champions continue to be linked with a move for Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, despite Inter Milan having already agreed a fee for the French World Cup winner.
Our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently rates Cucurella at €51.9m (£44.5m) – but Chelsea may have their work cut out generating such a fee for a player who it’s fair to say has flattered to deceive since his arrival.
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire could still be on his way out of Old Trafford – despite his proposed move to West Ham now seemingly being dead in the water.
