Marc Cucurella is Chelsea's transfer negotiator! Spain cult hero reveals he tells Athletic Club star Nico Williams to join Blues 'every day' at Euro 2024

Speaking to The Athletic ahead of the Euro 2024 final, Cucurella openly and jokingly admitted that he is speaking with Williams on a daily basis about the possibility of joining Chelsea, with the west London club linked with a move for the Athletic Club winger.

At 21 years of age, Williams has been one of the rising stars to emerge at Euro 2024 thanks to his performances on Spain's left flank. It has led to a considerable rise in transfer gossip, with Barcelona also heavily linked with the player. His release clause stands at a tempting €58 million (£49m/$63m) and he fits Chelsea's recent transfer strategy of targeting young talents.

Cucurella said of his efforts to convince Williams to join Chelsea: "Without doing too much in the camp, we have created a very good relationship with Nico and in the end, these sorts of players need to feel comfortable and important. What I tell Nico all the time is that he has to do his thing, create whatever goes through his mind, and I'll be covering his back or doing anything he needs me to.

"I tell him every day he should come to Chelsea, he would help us a lot! He is more than welcome and he knows that [laughs]. But he is so young, he has to decide by himself and with his people, so it's not time to put too many things in his head."

It isn't the first time Cucurella has admitted talking to Williams about Chelsea. Earlier in July, he said: "It is a source of pride that [Nico] is on our team, that he is our team-mate, and with players like him, everything is easier. He would be a great signing [for Barcelona], but it all depends on what he wants. I've been telling him to sign for Chelsea."

Chelsea are facing more change after dispensing with Mauricio Pochettino and appointing Enzo Maresca. Recruitment has already seen five new players - including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - come in, but more signings and departures are expected. The Blues have their first pre-season friendly of the summer on July 24 against Wrexham in Levi's Stadium near San Francisco.