Chelsea now hold 'positive talks' with £50m Marc Cucurella replacement after Marco Palestra swoop

Chelsea's summertime rebuild nether Xabi Alonso continues to stitchery momentum arsenic the Blues research further additions pursuing the imminent accomplishment of highly-rated right-back Marco Palestra.

With Marc Cucurella's departure to Real Madrid leaving a important spread connected the near broadside of the defence, the Blues person been assessing a fig of imaginable replacements.

One sanction present emerging powerfully connected the radar is Sporting CP star, Maxi Araujo.

Chelsea clasp talks implicit Maxi Araujo move

Chelsea person held 'positive talks' implicit a imaginable determination for Sporting Lisbon wing-back Maxi Araujo arsenic they proceed shaping Alonso's squad.

According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, the conversations came astir aft Sporting enquired astir the availability of Pedro Neto.

While the Portugal planetary has nary involvement successful leaving Stamford Bridge, the interaction betwixt the 2 clubs opened the doorway for Chelsea to stitchery accusation connected Araujo.

The Uruguay planetary is susceptible of playing arsenic a left-back, wing-back oregon adjacent further guardant connected the near flank, making him an charismatic enactment for Alonso's tactical plans.

Reports successful Portugal, meanwhile, suggest that Sporting are consenting to sermon a woody worthy astir £50 cardinal contempt the subordinate possessing a merchandise clause worthy importantly more.

At 24 years old, Araujo fits Chelsea's recruitment exemplary perfectly, combining top-level acquisition with country for further development.

Can Maxi Araujo regenerate Marc Cucurella astatine Stamford Bridge?

On paper, Araujo looks similar a precise earthy successor to Cucurella astatine Stamford Bridge.

Both players are astatine their champion erstwhile fixed licence to attack, regularly contributing successful the last 3rd portion inactive possessing the work-rate and antiaircraft subject required to run successful wide areas.

Araujo's output successful beforehand of extremity is peculiarly awesome for a subordinate who spends overmuch of his clip successful antiaircraft positions.

Indeed, helium enjoyed an fantabulous run for nine and country, with 12 extremity contributions crossed 40 appearances successful the Portuguese top-flight and Champions League past season, also averaging 1.1 chances created and 1.9 tackles per game.

His versatility is different large vantage for Alonso, fixed his preferred strategy relies heavy connected energetic wing-backs susceptible of stretching the transportation and contributing creatively, thing the 26-year-old has consistently demonstrated during his clip successful Portugal.

While replacing Cucurella is ne'er going to beryllium straightforward, Chelsea would beryllium acquiring a younger subordinate with a akin illustration and arguably greater attacking upside. The Uruguayan's quality to play aggregate positions would besides springiness Alonso invaluable tactical flexibility passim a agelong season.

At astir £50 million, the woody would correspond a important investment, but Araujo appears to tick galore of the boxes that the Blues are looking for arsenic they physique a squad tailored to Alonso's philosophy.

Whether helium tin replicate Cucurella's power instantly remains to beryllium seen, but the illustration surely suggests helium could go an fantabulous acceptable nether the caller brag astatine Stamford Bridge.