Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella in a deal that could rise to £51.8 million.
The 27-year-old, currently away with Spain at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to complete the move after the tournament.
The package is understood to include an initial £47.5m fee plus a further £4.3m in add-ons.
Cucurella joined Chelsea from Brighton for £63m in 2022, but had been open to returning to Spain after coming through Barcelona’s academy earlier in his career.
He had previously been linked with both Atletico Madrid and a possible return to Barcelona.
His departure comes after a turbulent campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella was among a group of Spanish-speaking players frustrated by the club’s direction following Enzo Maresca’s mid-season exit, and he later criticised Chelsea’s hierarchy during an interview in the March international break.
The defender had two years remaining on his contract, despite agreeing improved terms last season without extending the length of the deal.
That situation is believed to have influenced Chelsea’s decision to accept Madrid’s offer.
Chelsea endured a disappointing season, finishing 10th and missing out on European football.
Liam Rosenior, who replaced Maresca, was eventually dismissed, with Calum McFarlane stepping in as caretaker manager before the club appointed former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso as permanent head coach for the 2026-27 campaign.
For Madrid, Cucurella is set to be part of a major squad rebuild under returning president Florentino Perez and manager Jose Mourinho.
The Spanish giants are also understood to be pursuing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries, while France defender Ibrahima Konate is expected to arrive following his Liverpool exit.
