Real Madrid considered Arsenal star as an option before signing Chelsea defender

Jose Mourinho is going all out in his bid to strengthen Real Madrid’s defence, and Marc Cucurella has just become the latest piece in his puzzle.

The Spanish international has officially completed a move to the Valdebebas in a big-money transfer and appears set to take over from Alvaro Carreras as the team’s first-choice left-back.

He was, however, not the manager’s only choice as the club was openly linked to Josko Gvardiol and Riccardo Calafiori as options to reinforce the same position.

Cucurella, seemingly, arrives as the team’s backup plan after failing to secure either of the two Premier League stars.

A fourth option was involved

As confirmed in a recent report by AS (h/t Madrid Xtra), Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie was also considered by Real Madrid as an option to reinforce the left-back and left centre-back position this summer, in addition to Gvardiol, Calafiori and Cucurella.

Real Madrid considered a move for Hincapie. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It is not the first time that the Ecuadorian star is being linked with a move to Real Madrid, for he was one of Xabi Alonso’s mainstays during his time at Bayer Leverkusen and sounded strongly as an option to shift clubs with the manager.

While Real Madrid did hold talks for a €60 million transfer last year, he eventually signed for Arsenal in a deal involving a similar fee after a loan stint. 

His profile is the same as what Mourinho demanded for he is a player who can play in both central defence and as a left-back. Cucurella, however, was selected ahead of him by the club.

Hincapie. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Sales are needed

With Real Madrid now officially signing Cucurella, the team have four left-backs in him, Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia.

That, needless to say, is a sheer excess of resources and a burden on the wage bill, and Florentino Perez and Co. will be forced to make sales in the department.

Garcia, at this point, appears to be the most saleable asset especially given Mendy’s current injury, poor track record and dip in market value.

Carreras, meanwhile, will hope to stay and make a case to see more minutes under Jose Mourinho as a competitor to the new signing.