Spanish defender Marc Cucurella may be bidding farewell to Stamford Bridge in the upcoming January transfer window, with reports indicating his desire to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.

The 25-year-old full-back has yet to make an appearance in the current Premier League season, and there were previous reports of Manchester United’s interest in signing him as cover for their injured players, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

Erik ten Hag’s side was considering a move for Cucurella but ultimately opted for a loan deal with Sergio Reguillon from Tottenham when discussions with Chelsea hit an impasse.

Cucurella has had limited chances to showcase his talents this season, with his sole appearance for Chelsea occurring during their 2-1 EFL Cup victory against AFC Wimbledon.

According to The Sun, Cucurella is now contemplating a departure in January, feeling disappointed about the breakdown of his potential move to Old Trafford. The report suggests he may seek a loan move back to Spain, with “Real Madrid quietly monitoring his situation.”

Despite making 33 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea in the previous season, Cucurella is uncertain about his playing time under new manager Pochettino, prompting him to consider a change.

The defender’s journey with Chelsea since his arrival in 2022 in a £62 million deal from Brighton has been challenging. Shortly after joining the club, his house was burgled, adding to his difficulties. Additionally, he faced a soft tissue injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of the 2022-23 season.

As Chelsea prepares to face Cucurella’s former club, Brighton, in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, there’s a possibility that the player might be called upon to participate. This would mark only his second appearance in a Chelsea shirt in the current campaign.

Cucurella’s contract at Stamford Bridge extends until 2028, and there has been interest from Newcastle in signing him during the summer transfer window. As the January transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen whether Cucurella’s desire for a fresh start will lead to his departure from Chelsea. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.