Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are reportedly setting the stage for a high-profile swoop this summer, with Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella emerging as their primary target. According to Spanish journalist Felix Diaz, the Saudi Arabian outfit is ready to table a massive offer to lure the Spaniard to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Cucurella, 27, endured a rocky start to life in West London following his move from Brighton & Hove Albion. However, over the past year, he has turned his fortunes around at Stamford Bridge. His impressive resurgence in form has seen him reclaim a starting role and earn plaudits for his defensive solidity and attacking contributions.
Al-Nassr’s interest in Cucurella comes as they attempt to rebuild their backline after a turbulent season defensively. The departure of Brazilian left-back Alex Telles last September left a glaring void, one the club has yet to adequately fill. With Aymeric Laporte also on the verge of an exit, the Saudi giants are scrambling for quality reinforcements in defense.
Marc Cucurella’s name has been circulating among top clubs recently, and he nearly joined Manchester United on loan in 2023 before the deal collapsed. Since then, his career trajectory has climbed steadily, with some pundits now regarding him as one of the more complete left-backs in European football.
Al-Nassr are not expected to hold back financially in their pursuit of the Spaniard. The club, backed by Saudi Arabia’s vast Public Investment Fund, is reportedly preparing a lucrative offer that would significantly increase Cucurella’s current salary and include performance-based bonuses. Such a financial incentive could prove difficult to resist for the former Getafe and Barcelona man.
The Knights of Najd have already tried to bolster their defense this summer. Their recent bid for Slovakian centre-back David Hancko fell short, with the player instead opting to join Atletico Madrid. That failure has pushed the club’s hierarchy to urgently shift their attention toward other European targets.
At Chelsea, the situation remains fluid. The Blues are open to selling players for the right price, as seen in the recent departure of Noni Madueke. Furthermore, their pursuit of Dutch teenage sensation Jorrel Hato signals that the club is planning for the future, potentially opening the door for Cucurella to depart should a significant offer arrive.
While Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca may be reluctant to lose a player of Cucurella’s experience and current form, the club’s ongoing transition phase and Financial Fair Play obligations may force their hand. If Al-Nassr’s offer proves financially irresistible, it would not be surprising to see the Spanish defender make a sensational switch to the Middle East.
From a strategic standpoint, Cucurella would offer Al-Nassr both experience and versatility. Comfortable as a traditional left-back or a left-sided center-back in a three-man defense, his arrival would inject tactical flexibility into Luis Castro’s squad, particularly as they gear up for another ambitious campaign both domestically and in Asia.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence at the club is undoubtedly a strong lure for European stars. Having already helped attract several high-profile names to the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese icon continues to act as an unofficial ambassador for the league’s global ambitions. A potential partnership between Ronaldo and Cucurella could bring added balance to Al-Nassr’s squad while further strengthening their appeal to a wider international audience.
The coming weeks will be crucial as negotiations unfold. Chelsea are likely to hold out for a fee close to what they paid Brighton in 2022, while Al-Nassr may be willing to push the limits given the urgency of their defensive rebuild. With Cucurella’s stock currently high and his future in limbo, the transfer saga promises to be one of the summer’s most intriguing