Atlético Madrid
Four realistic exits for Marc Cucurella and how they stack up
Cucurella weighs four suitors while Chelsea set terms; Barcelona appeals on emotional grounds. still.
Marc Cucurella is preparing for a summer decision as Chelsea appear willing to accommodate his desire to leave, with interest reported from at least four clubs. Sources cited by The Athletic link the left back to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Manchester City. Chelsea are thought to be open to a sale provided any buyer meets the club’s financial conditions.
Manchester City emerge as a logical candidate in these reports because of managerial movement and squad context. Enzo Maresca is expected to succeed Pep Guardiola and his prior meetings with City executives were noted in reporting about his departure from Chelsea. Cucurella reacted at the time: “The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us,” the left back fretted. “These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision.” City signed Rayan Aït-Nouri for around $43 million last summer and saw Nico O’Reilly rise from the academy. The available reporting suggests it would be surprising if City spent again to displace Aït-Nouri or stash another expensive left back on the bench.
Barcelona represent the sentimental option. Cucurella spent seven years within Barça’s system before a seven-minute senior debut in 2017, his last appearance for the first team at that time. Speaking in March while with Spain he said it “would be difficult to reject” Barcelona. “And not just for me,” he told assembled media while representing Spain. “I would have to think about my family as well. If [an offer] comes, it comes, and we will have to see what decision we would make.” Financial constraints and an already stocked left-back area, with Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martín involved and João Cancelo’s future unresolved, were highlighted as possible barriers.
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are also credited with interest, keeping options in La Liga alive. Any move will depend on Chelsea’s valuation and the suitors’ willingness to meet those terms. For now, the player’s preference and the clubs’ finances will decide which of these four paths becomes reality.
Atlético Madrid
Barcola injury scare eases as Iraola gives Liverpool a cautious update
Barcola’s cramp scare was quickly eased, but Liverpool face a tight recovery window before Fulham.
Liverpool were briefly left anxious after Bradley Barcola went down during the 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid, but Andoni Iraola moved quickly to calm concerns by saying the issue was only cramps.
The France international had to be treated on the pitch in front of a full Anfield crowd before limping to the touchline and being withdrawn for Víctor Muñoz. Given the way he had stopped and the need for immediate treatment, there was understandable concern that Liverpool might have lost one of their most recent arrivals to injury.
That worry was eased after the final whistle when Iraola explained the situation. “It was just cramps, especially with Bradley. We are rushing him, but we decided [on Wednesday] to ask him to give the most you have, and let’s see how you recover for the next one.”
Liverpool now have only three days before they return to action against Fulham at the weekend. With the chance to make it three wins in a row, they will be hopeful Barcola is ready again, especially after being asked to produce another intense effort so soon.
The forward’s route into Liverpool has been anything but straightforward. He had not played a second of soccer since the World Cup, with his last outing for France coming in the third-place match against England on July 18. After that, he stayed out of competitive action while waiting for a transfer from PSG.
Although he continued to train with the French club, that could only do so much for his match sharpness. Once the move to Merseyside was completed, he made his debut from the bench in last Friday’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
That appearance lasted 26 minutes before he was trusted to start against Atlético Madrid. Barcola began brightly and showed signs of threat, but he was unable to convert a fine counter attack in the 50th minute after Florian Wirtz released him through on goal. Even so, the latest update suggests Liverpool’s concern is about recovery rather than anything more serious.
Atlético Madrid
Kerkez says Liverpool cannot yet maintain Iraola’s press for a full match
Kerkez says Liverpool are still adjusting to Iraola’s pressing demands after their first win of the season.
Milos Kerkez has admitted Liverpool are still learning how to handle Andoni Iraola’s demanding style, with the defender saying the team cannot yet press for the full 90 minutes at the level the manager expects.
After a month in which the same issues have remained in place, Liverpool finally recorded their first win of the season on Friday, taking the points at the third attempt with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town. Kerkez said the result did not hide the fact that the physical demands of Iraola’s approach are still being worked through.
“When you press like us, it’s a bit tough to do it for all the game and all the 90 minutes,” he told club media . “We can do it for the first 30 to 35 minutes and in some ways we can do that in the second half at the beginning, but then it’s all about staying compact and talking to each other.
“That’s what we said also that we need to improve, and as defenders we are happy with the clean sheet. We defended pretty well their crosses and the set pieces. Like I said, everyone was 100% focused.”
There were clear signs on Friday that Liverpool are beginning to absorb Iraola’s ideas. The performance featured intense running, two early goals from Alexander Isak and a Premier League-high sprint speed from Bradley Barcola in his first appearance off the bench.
That said, the match also served as a reminder that the road ahead remains long. Ipswich may have been a useful starting point, but the standard of opposition is set to rise quickly.
Wednesday’s meeting with Atlético Madrid will provide the next test of whether Liverpool can turn those early signs into something more consistent. Kerkez’s assessment was guarded but optimistic, suggesting the squad are starting to get to grips with the manager’s expectations even if the full physical load is not yet in place.
Arsenal Transfer News
Six Deadline Day transfer storylines to follow
Deadline Day brings six unresolved transfer sagas, from Alvarez to Grealish and Zirkzee.
Deadline Day brings the summer window to a close on Tuesday, but there is still enough time for late movement, fresh tension and a few final breakdowns.
Several long-running transfer situations remain unresolved, and the final hours could still reshape plans for a number of clubs. Here are six of the most notable sagas heading into the close of the market.
Julián Alvarez has made his desire clear, publicly describing a move to Barcelona as his “dream”, but Atlético Madrid have maintained all summer that they will not sell to their domestic rivals. Barcelona left a $135 million bid on the table in mid-July, yet Atlético have not shifted. The Argentine has tried to force change, but the response has been firm. Atlético are prepared to do business with Arsenal for the right price, although the Gunners have not been able to persuade Alvarez to abandon Barcelona. Barcelona have already moved on to Gabriel Jesus, while Arsenal may now look at Malick Fofana.
Tottenham Hotspur’s response to their early defeats has led them into several forward options. They agreed terms with Iliman Ndiaye on Sunday morning and were also hopeful of sending Richarlison back to Everton, though those moves now appear linked. Everton have not yet reached agreement on personal terms with their former striker, which has complicated Spurs’ work. With Cody Gakpo staying at Liverpool, Manchester City have turned their attention elsewhere, while Spurs are moving on and Roberto De Zerbi may yet reunite with Mykhailo Mudryk.
Enzo Fernández remains another major name to watch. Chelsea considered a sale while Liam Rosenior was in charge, with Real Madrid later explored as a possible destination, but City have emerged as the strongest suitor. They are prepared to pay $162 million for the former Benfica midfielder, who has been transformed into a box-crashing midfielder by Pep Guardiola’s successor, Enzo Maresca, at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are still seeking a right-sided forward after being pushed back for Yankuba Minteh and failing so far to turn interest in Ismaïla Sarr into an agreement. Sarr wants the move, but Palace are standing firm after two bids were rejected.
Joshua Zirkzee’s future also remains open. He has turned down a loan move to Fiorentina and prefers Juventus, but their interest in Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade has created doubt. With Jonathan David having joined Atlético Madrid, Juve are prioritising Woltemade.
Everton are also preparing for change, with Ndiaye expected to leave and Jack Grealish emerging as a possible return target after a loan spell that started brightly before a foot injury ended his season in January.
