Real Madrid has secured a verbal agreement to acquire left-back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea in a transfer package valued at up to €60m (£52m), as reported by The Guardian.
The 27-year-old Spain international is set to finalize the move following the conclusion of this summer's World Cup, where he is currently preparing to play against Cape Verde.
The transfer materializes after a period of tension, during which Cucurella openly expressed dissatisfaction with the Chelsea leadership during the March international break.
He remarked that the squad suffered from "inexperience" during their heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, while also voicing doubts regarding the departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca.
The move marks a return to Spain for Cucurella, concluding his four-year tenure at Stamford Bridge after initially arriving from Brighton for a fee of £62m.
Chelsea views the transfer as an opportune moment to sell the defender, whose performances reportedly declined after Christmas while the form of his 20-year-old Dutch deputy, Jorrel Hato, impressed club officials.
Real Madrid is advancing swiftly in the transfer market to rebuild its roster following two consecutive seasons without winning a trophy.
Under the leadership of newly appointed manager José Mourinho, the Spanish club has already strengthened its defensive lineup by recruiting Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries and former Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konaté.
Additionally, the club has secured a deal to sign former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer.
Potential Transfer Target Enzo Fernández
Real Madrid may pursue further negotiations with Chelsea as Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández remains a potential target.
Fernández joined Cucurella in publicly criticizing the Chelsea hierarchy near the end of the season and has expressed a clear desire to move to the Spanish capital.
Chelsea values the former Benfica midfielder at more than £100m, and the club is not under intense financial pressure to sell its players.
The London club, which failed to qualify for European competitions, will consider the input of its new manager, Xabi Alonso, regarding squad adjustments.
While key players like Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo are deemed untouchable by Chelsea, Fernández is not viewed as completely indispensable by the club management.
