Mourinho’s Personal Call Sealed Cucurella’s £52m Real Madrid Move
Marc Cucurella (27) has spoken publicly about his £52 million transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid, telling reporters from Spain’s World Cup base in Chattanooga, Tennessee that the deal was agreed in roughly a day and a half and that he had no doubts once the call came through. The Guardian published the full interview on Thursday, with Cucurella addressing both the mechanics of the move and the backlash from Barcelona supporters.
The fee, reported by Football Espana as £47.5 million fixed plus £4.3 million in add-ons, ties him to Los Blancos on a six-year contract running into the early 2030s. The agreement was finalised while Cucurella remained on international duty, a logistical quirk that, by his own account, suited everyone involved.
AdvertisementAdvertisementCucurella explains his Real Madrid decision
Asked to describe how the transfer unfolded, Cucurella was unambiguous about the speed and the absence of any internal conflict. “It was all very fast,” he said. “I got a phone call one morning. My people told me the two clubs had the terms mostly agreed and that I had to decide if I wanted to go there. I had no doubts. It is a big step for me, very important in my career. It all happened in roughly a day and a half.”
That framing is notable because it removes any sense of a drawn-out saga – which, given that he had previously insisted he was happy at Chelsea, is clearly the impression Cucurella wants to leave. The speed also reflects the broader pattern of this window: Madrid moving quickly and decisively once a target is identified, with the bilateral negotiation effectively concluded before it became public knowledge.
The role of José Mourinho was a thread Cucurella returned to more than once. “Having a manager like Mourinho calling you and saying he can’t wait to work with you gives you a lot of confidence,” he said. “What I liked a lot is that he remembered a lot of things from the game I played against him for Chelsea against Benfica in the Champions League. He insisted that he believes I can add a lot to the team and the dressing room.” A manager doing his homework on a specific match to make a personal case is a recruitment tactic, but it is also a pointed signal of intent – and Cucurella received it as one.
Cucurella sends message to Barcelona fans
The more delicate passage of the interview concerned his La Masia roots. Cucurella joined Barcelona’s academy at 14, made just one senior appearance for the club, and rebuilt his career elsewhere – at Getafe, Brighton, and then Chelsea – before landing at the club Barcelona regard as their primary rival. He acknowledged the reaction without overstating it. “I have to respect everyone’s opinions. I am very thankful for everything I experienced in my career and what I learnt in La Masia. But there’s different chapters in life and I thought this was the right step for me. When Madrid comes for you, it is very difficult to say no.”
What Cucurella stopped short of saying is equally telling. He offered no apology, made no attempt to frame the move as anything other than a straightforward career decision, and declined to engage with the emotional weight Barça supporters might attach to it. The line about different chapters in life is doing considerable diplomatic work. He also noted that his wife Claudia and her family are Madrid supporters – a personal detail that reframes the move from betrayal to homecoming, at least within his own household.
What Cucurella’s arrival means for Real Madrid
Madrid’s signing of Cucurella is consistent with the approach Mourinho has taken since arriving: high-profile additions with immediate starting credentials rather than developmental acquisitions. The left-back position has been an area of squad discussion at the Bernabéu, and the context of Antonio Rüdiger’s recent contract extension suggests Madrid are actively consolidating their defensive core ahead of next season rather than leaving positions open. Cucurella arrives with four Premier League seasons behind him and a Spain international profile that requires no adjustment period at international level.
AdvertisementAdvertisementFor Chelsea, the departure is another instance of losing a dependable starter – someone who had become a fixture rather than a fringe option. The £52 million return is substantial, but replacing a left-back of Cucurella’s consistency mid-window presents its own complications.
What next for Cucurella at Real Madrid
Cucurella will remain with Spain for the duration of their World Cup campaign before returning to Madrid for pre-season integration. The next meaningful development will be Mourinho’s first competitive selection, which will confirm where the Catalan fits within the defensive structure and how quickly he displaces any existing options at left-back.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
