Chelsea rejected a ‘secret approach’ from Manchester City to sign their defender Marc Cucurella before he almost joined Manchester United.
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That’s according to new reports, which claim that Pep Guardiola’s side secretly tried to bring in left-back Cucurella during the January transfer window.
Cucurella ended up staying at Chelsea, though, and was then linked with a loan to United this summer as they looked to find cover for injured star Luke Shaw.
But that move eventually fell through for a number of reasons as United ended up signing Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham instead.
Cucurella joined Chelsea in a £62m deal from Brighton last summer but the Spaniard has endured a tough spell Stamford Bridge so far.
The 25-year-old has been an unused substitute in all four of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season.
His only appearance so far this term came in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon last week.
Cucurella made 24 Premier League appearances last season as the Blues finished 12th in the top-flight.
Mauricio Pochettino arrived as head coach in the summer and has been tasked with turning the club’s fortunes around.
Chelsea have won just one of their four Premier League matches so far, though, which came at home with a 3-0 victory over promoted side Luton Town.
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