Chelsea star increasingly wants Manchester United move as first round of talks scheduled

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella could leave the club before the transfer window shuts on Friday after Manchester United expressed interest in him as cover for Luke Shaw.

The Red Devils have lost England international Shaw to what is a long-term injury and are in the market for a potential replacement.

They have looked at Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon as well as thought of the idea of utilising the versitile Diogo Dalot at left-back. They however would prefer to have someone who sees the position as his natural spot.

Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella who was signed from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported £60million last summer has been sounded out with Chelsea feeling incredibly safe in that spot.

Cucurella has barely played this season but turned down the chance to move to Newcastle earlier in the summer. He said back then: “Yes, for sure I want to stay at Chelsea. I am very happy here.

“It wasn’t an easy season and it was difficult for all the players, we needed time to adapt. You arrive at a big club, you need time to adapt, the results don’t arrive, you feel more pressure and, of course, we are football players but we are normal people as well.

Highly-rated Levi Colwill has been trusted with that position in the first three games of the season while Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen can also play there if need be.

Chelsea are looking at their wage bill and want to reduce it drastically so much that they have sent the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga out on loan to Real Madrid.

LondonWorld sources say Manchester United are willing to do a loan deal for Spain defender Cucurella and will look to hold talks with Chelsea before the transfer window shuts.

The Blues are also still in the market for a striker to ease the burden on Nicolas Jackson after the injury to Christopher Nkunku left Mauricio Pochettino short in that department.

The Blues are also hoping to strike a deal for the exit of Romelu Lukaku as that will free the wage bill with the Belgian being the club’s highest scorer.