Chelsea line up £23m transfer for Barcelona misfit Cucurella in case Chilwell deal falls through

CHELSEA are reportedly considering a swoop for Barcelona’s Marc Cucurella this summer as a potential alternative for Ben Chilwell.

Frank Lampard, who has often favoured Marcos Alonso at left-back this campaign, is keen to strengthen that area once the transfer window re-opens.

Leicester City’s England international Chilwell remains his top target.

However, claim the Blues are also keeping tabs on the 21-year-old Nou Camp defender after he caught the eye starring on-loan at Getafe.

Porto's Alex Telles is another on the Chelsea radar, but today’s reports state Curcurella is the latest option being considered.

But Lampard will face plenty of competition from abroad in the chase for the Spanish U21 ace.

Napoli, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen are also keen and have been scouting his performances this term.

Barcelona have an agreement to sell Cucurella to Getafe permanently for just £5.5million this summer.

And that deal also includes a 40 per cent fee on his next move.

But Curcurella, who is equally as comfortable playing further forward on the left of midfield, will have a £23m release clause inserted into his Getafe contract - which could allow the Blues to swoop.

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The player hit the headlines in Spain last month after blasting the Nou Camp giants for not giving him an opportunity.

He said: “I think that at Barcelona, which is a big club, the important thing is to win in the end.

“Maybe they don’t have the patience that they [once] had. As a cantera player, which I am, they don’t give you the chances you deserve.

“I don’t like it because I expected they would be more confident in the youth academy. In football, the important thing is to win. ‘Winning is more important than having patience.”