Brighton have rejected Manchester City’s initial £ 30million bid for Marc Cucurella. City want to sign a left-back after agreeing to sell Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, but Brighton have set a asking price of £ 50 million for Cucurella.
The Spaniard has had a big impact since joining alongside Graham Potter for £ 15.4 million from Getafe last year. The player, who turns 24 on Friday, quickly adapted to English football and City have made him one of their top targets.
It is understood that Cucurella is interested in joining the champions and there is a feeling that the deal will come out. However, City expect to pay less than £ 50 million and there is a chance they could leave if Brighton remains firm in the valuation of a player who has a four-year contract. Brighton considers Cucurella one of its most important assets and would like to keep it.
Pep Guardiola has a great appreciation for Barcelona’s youth product. Cucurella, who has also been much sought after by Chelsea, is strong on defense and has taken possession. It fits the profile of a modern winger and signing him would cover the only flagrant hole in the City squad.
The left-back was a problem for Guardiola last season. Zinchenko was used to it and wanted to play in the middle of the field and João Cancelo also impressed on the role despite being right-handed.
With Zinchenko about to join Arsenal, Cancelo will be the only senior left-back available to City. Guardiola has suggested that the versatile Nathan Aké could replace the left following City’s decision not to sell the center-back to Chelsea, and has also spoken to 19-year-old academy prospect Josh Wilson-Esbrand but buy Cucurella it would be possible. be the ideal solution.