Why Barcelona Funding Marc Cucurella Move Hinges On Sacrificing Koundé

FC Barcelona are interested in bringing Marc Cucurella home from Chelsea, however that potential operation will hinge entirely on being able to sell Jules Koundé according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

Summer hasn’t even kicked off properly yet. But already we’ve seen that Barça aren’t mucking around when it comes to boosting a squad that won a domestic double under Hansi Flick in 2025/2026.

Just this week, the Catalans have signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for €80 million while also launching a €100 million bid for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.

Bernardo Silva is also meant to be a cert on a free transfer to bolster the wings and midfield. And in the meantime, defensive reinforcements could also be made in the way of Cucurella.

Marc Cucurella has flirted with a Barcelona return

Just like his Stamford Bridge teammate Enzo Fernandez did with Real Madrid and got suspended for it, Cucurella has openly flirted with Barça in recent weeks.

While on international duty with Spain, he confessed that the Blaugrana trying to bring the La Masia graduate home “would be difficult to refuse”.

“It’s not just about me. I’d have to think about my family. If it happens, it happens, and we’ll see what decision is made. You always think about going back. [But] I’m very happy there [in England], and so is my family. I’ll leave it for a few years from now,” Cucurella added.

Yet a potential second stint at the Spotify Camp Nou, where Cucurella didn’t manage to make a single first team appearance amid 48 for the ‘B’ reserves, might come sooner than that.

Barça believe Cucurella’s price tag to be around €40 million with add-ons. But it is by selling Kounde that Deco and Co. will be able to get a deal over the line.

Struggling in 2025/2026, Kounde is being linked with an exit from his club since 2022 with the Premier League as always being touted as a possible next destination.

How would FC Barcelona line up if Marc Cucurella and Jules Kounde transfers come off?

With Cucurella a left back and Kounde manning the opposite channel, this wouldn’t be a like-for-like swap.

If Barça can make Joao Cancelo’s loan deal permanent, he could replace Kounde while Xavi Espart and Eric Garcia provide further options.

Alejandro Balde had a free run at left back until Cancelo turned up, but he’d then be challenged by the Portuguese yet primarily the man who has his Spanish national team place in Marc Cucurella thanks to superior concentration and focus.