Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Marc Cucurella: Chelsea medical underway as Fabrizio Romano doubles down amid Brighton backlash

Brighton defender Marc Cucurella

Chelsea target Marc Cucurella is currently undertaking a medical in London, and Fabrizio Romano has doubled down on his previous remarks about the transfer with a spiky tweet.

Romano was among a host of reliable sources who reported Cucurella was on course to join Chelsea. The Spaniard excelled in his maiden season in England last year, though his performances were of such a high standard that they attracted the league’s big hitters.

Indeed, Man City came calling first, but were were knocked back with three bids worth £30m, £35m and £40m.

That opened the door for Chelsea who went straight in above Brighton’s initial asking £50m price with a bid of £52.5m. At that point and with personal terms already agreed, Romano gave the proposed move his signature ‘here we go’ confirmation.

Brighton didn’t take kindly to their player being talked about in such terms. Indeed, the Seagulls released a statement on Twitter castigating ‘inaccurate reports’ from ‘numerous media outlets’ that claimed an agreement to sell Cucurella had been reached with any club, never mind Chelsea.

Romano stuck to his guns in the face of criticism on social media and his latest tweet suggests Cucurella will in fact be joining the Blues after all.

The trusted source tweeted Cucurella is in London ‘as expected’ and is now conducting his Chelsea medical.

Romano described the medical as the ‘final step’ and doubled down with a second ‘here we go’ seal of approval.

Levi Colwill deal a separate affair

Should the deal cross the line, a separate move involving Levi Colwill is expected to go through.

The left-sided centre-back is expected to move the other way, though there remains uncertainty in exactly what capacity.

Some outlets have suggested a £25m permanent transfer could be on the cards. Others, including Romano, have stated it’ll be an initial loan with an option or obligation to buy.

The Evening Standard claimed the Blues were reluctant to part ways with the youngster who impressed mightily while on loan at Huddersfield Town last season.

However, the Colwill move may have aided Chelsea’s ability to secure Cucurella’s signature.

Indeed, Colwill could slot straight in at left centre-back in Graham Potter’s back three. That’s the same position Cucurella played towards the back end of last season.

If Chelsea do sell Colwill outright, they’re expected to include a buy-back clause worth around £50m in the deal.

Cucurella an excellent addition

Cucurella can play at left centre-back, left-back or left wing-back. In short, he would become the left-sided equivalent of Cesar Azpilicueta.

The fact Man City viewed him as a potential starter down the line speaks volumes. If he had moved to the Etihad, he would’ve been the long-term left-back once Kyle Walker moves on, with Joao Cancelo eventually shifting over to his favoured right side.

While Brighton are clearly reluctant to lose their star man, the £50m+ they’ll receive represents excellent business.

Indeed, Brighton paid just £15.4m when buying him from Getafe last season.