Real Madrid agree £52m deal to sign Chelsea star

Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Chelsea to sign defender Marc Cucurella this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The La Liga giants have been tipped to land a new left-back in recent weeks and were recently linked with a move for Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori.

Madrid have now made the surprise choice to land Cucurella from the Blues. He was reportedly the preferred left-back target for manager Jose Mourinho.

A £52m deal has been verbally finalised between the clubs, and the Spaniard will formally move to Madrid after the World Cup.

Cucurella has already terms over a five-year contract and it appears only a formality before the 27-year-old returns to Spain with Madrid.

The transfer has definitely come out of the blue, and it remains to be seen who the Blues land as a replacement for the departing left-back.

They have been linked with a reunion with Newcastle United ace Lewis Hall but he won't come on the cheap and may cost at least £60m.