Marc Cucurella has completed his move to Real Madrid, with the transfer confirmed just hours before Spain's opening World Cup fixture. The deal, worth up to £51.8m, was agreed on Sunday evening and formally announced on Monday morning.

The 27-year-old left-back's departure immediately raises the question of whether fellow Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez could follow him to the Spanish capital.

Fernandez in Real Madrid's sights

Sources in Spain indicate that negotiations with Chelsea moved quickly in the Cucurella deal, and a comparable situation may now unfold around Fernandez. Chelsea value the Argentina international at £120m, and it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid are prepared to commit that level of expenditure.

Re-elected club president Florentino Perez has already hinted at a potential outlay of €150m (£129.6m), having had a bid at that figure rejected by Atletico Madrid for Fernandez's international team-mate Julian Alvarez. That financial appetite may now be directed at Fernandez himself.

Well-placed sources confirm that Fernandez is eager to leave Chelsea and link up with Real Madrid. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mentioned in connection with the midfielder, but both clubs are understood to have withdrawn any interest. The move to Madrid appears to be his primary objective — though incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso would welcome keeping him, given that Fernandez contributed 15 goals and seven assists last season. He remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Why Cucurella left Chelsea

Cucurella's exit comes as something of a surprise. Only last season, the Spain international agreed improved financial terms at Chelsea without extending his contract — an arrangement the club never publicly confirmed.

Having won the European Championship with Spain and collected both the Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, he appeared firmly embedded in the side under then-manager Enzo Maresca. His form declined, however, following Maresca's mid-season dismissal and the appointment of Liam Rosenior. Cucurella spoke out publicly about the instability at the club, though — unlike Fernandez, who made comparable remarks in March — he was not formally disciplined.

Despite expressing interest in working under Xabi Alonso in recent days, he ultimately chose Real Madrid. Cucurella was quoted by Marca last week saying: