30 August 2023 , 20:53
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Marc Cucurella was booed by Chelsea fans ahead of Wednesday night's Carabao Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon as the defender closes in on a loan move to Manchester United.
Cucurella, 25, only joined the Blues in a £55million deal from Brighton last summer but failed to emulate his performances on the south coast in the capital.
Following the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, Cucurella has fallen behind Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen in the Stamford Bridge pecking order and Chelsea are willing to let the Spanish international leave before Friday's transfer deadline - meaning his appearance against Wimbledon in midweek could be his final one in a Blues shirt.
That didn't prevent Chelsea fans from ruthlessly jeering the full-back, though, as the two teams warmed up in west London. Cucurella played the full game as Chelsea battled back to beat the Dons 2-1.
Talks over a temporary move to Old Trafford have gathered pace over the past 24 hours after it emerged that United would need cover at left-back following the news that Luke Shaw was set to join Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines for several weeks due to a muscle injury.
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The Red Devils swiftly identified Cucurella as their primary target but their initial offer, which comprised of a £2m loan fee, was promptly rebuffed by Chelsea. Negotiations over a deal are ongoing.
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Marc Cucurella was jeered by Chelsea fans ahead of their match against Wimbledon (MICAH CROOK/PPAUK/REX/Shutterstock)Cucurella, who has not featured in any of Chelsea's three matchday squads in the Premier League this term, is one of a handful of players who could depart Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline.
United, meanwhile, are aiming to wrap up another ambitious loan deal for long-term target Sofyan Amrabat - but their initial proposal for the Morocco international has not gone down well with Fiorentina.
After spending in excess of £170m already this summer, funds are tight at Old Trafford. According to The Athletic, Manchester United offered the Serie A outfit a €2million (£1.7m) loan fee which would payable in two instalments. A January break clause was also proposed which would kick in before the payment of the second instalment - meaning Fiorentina could have received just €1m (£859,000) for Amrabat's services.
The proposal was rejected outright by Fiorentina, who would prefer to sell Amrabat. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing with just 48 hours of the transfer window remaining.