Chelsea star on secret transfer mission after telling Euro 2024 player to sign for club

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has been trying to convince one of his international team-mates to join the Blues after excelling at Euro 2024. It has been a busy start to the transfer window for Chelsea, who have already welcomed four new faces since the end of last season.

Tosin Adarabioyo joined the Blues on a free transfer following his decision not to sign a new contract at Fulham before Omari Kellyman moved from Aston Villa. Chelsea went on to seal deals for Barcelona starlet Marc Guiu and Leicester City playmaker Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

More signings will almost certainly follow over the coming weeks, with Nico Williams among those to have been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard has emerged as one of the best young wingers in world football and has impressed at the Euros with two goal contributions in three matches.

Cucurella has taken it upon himself to embark on a transfer mission by trying to convince Williams to join Chelsea in the hope a deal can be agreed.

“He is a great player, he is bringing out all his potential,” said Cucurella when quizzed on the future of his international team-mate. “It is a source of pride that he is on our team, that he is our teammate and with players like him everything is easier.

“He would be a great signing but it all depends on what he wants. I’ve been telling him to sign for Chelsea! In the end everything depends on him, he is very young, with a lot of experience. I think he will be a great player.”

Williams would certainly fit Chelsea’s recruitment profile, given his young age and high ceiling for potential growth in addition to his current ability. However, it has been reported that Barcelona are determined to beat the Blues to his signature, which suggests that a bidding war could take shape.

The 21-year-old remains tied down to Athletic Bilbao for another three years but has been widely tipped to move on this summer. Quizzed on his future last week, Williams insisted that he was only focused on representing Spain at the Euros despite the growing interest in his services.

“Everything that comes from outside is good,” he said. “It means I’m doing my job well. Every kid dreams of being noticed by big clubs.

“I’m focused on doing well at the European Championship and whatever comes after that I’ll find out because these days I’m totally disconnected.”