Cristiano Ronaldo is pressing Al Nassr to move for Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, according to journalist José Félix Díaz. The Portuguese star is reportedly keen to see the Spaniard join him in Saudi Arabia as Al Nassr push for the league title.
Cucurella, 27, has become a vital figure at Chelsea after a rocky start to life in west London. Initially criticised for his inconsistency and hefty price tag, the Spanish international turned his form around under former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who deployed him in a hybrid midfield role late last season. That switch helped Chelsea close the campaign strongly, securing a top-four finish and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Under current head coach Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has grown even more influential. He featured in 54 matches across all competitions in 2024, scoring seven goals and providing four assists — impressive numbers for a player who operates primarily in defence. Chelsea also lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, with Cucurella playing a key role in both campaigns.
Yet despite his importance on the pitch, Cucurella’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge is not guaranteed. He is entering the final two years of his contract, and there have been no public signs that Chelsea are in talks to renew it. Given the club’s recent reluctance to extend deals for players nearing 30, his situation bears watching.
Chelsea have already struggled to offload senior players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, both of whom remain on high wages. The club may not want to repeat those mistakes, especially with young talent like Jorrel Hato reportedly being lined up as a possible successor.
While Al Nassr are also close to sealing a deal for Joao Félix, another former Chelsea loanee, Ronaldo’s interest in Cucurella points to the club’s growing ambition. But persuading Chelsea to sell a key starter, especially after such a strong season, will be no easy task.
So far, the London club have not commented on the reported Saudi interest, and no official bids have been confirmed. But with Ronaldo pushing behind the scenes and Cucurella’s contract ticking down, this could be one to watch.
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