Manchester City are reportedly stepping up their efforts to sign Marc Cucurella, with an opening bid set to be submitted in the coming days.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are pushing ahead with their efforts to bring Marc Cucurella to the Etihad. The Premier League champions are set to table an opening bid for the Brighton & Hove Albion defender, with the 23-year-old Spanish international considered a priority signing by Pep Guardiola.
When the 2021/22 season concluded, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted the club would make several key signings in the summer transfer window. The Citizens backed up the statement with news of their pursuit of some top-level players.
Manchester City made a statement of intent by bringing in coveted striker Erling Haaland and will now move on to their next target. One of the areas Pep Guardiola wants to reinforce is left-back, and Manchester City have several options in mind, although they only wish to sign Marc Cucurella.
The Brighton & Hove Albion defender had a sensational debut season in the Premier League after the Seagulls got him from Getafe last summer. The 23-year-old’s adaptation has turned heads from all over, and his ability to play multiple defensive positions makes him a coveted target for several elite clubs.
Excl: Manchester City are now set to submit opening proposal to Brighton for Marc Cucurella. First bid ready to proceed in advanced talks in the next days. ??? #MCFC
Cucurella is still Man City top target as left back, Pep Guardiola really wants him. Work in progress. pic.twitter.com/SyJiwh0pk7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2022
The left-back position was troublesome for Guardiola last season. With Benjamin Mendy suspended indefinitely and Oleksandr Zinchenko not an automatic starter, the Manchester City boss had to rely on Joao Cancello to fill the void on the left-hand side.
Cucurella is the perfect option for Manchester City, although Chelsea and Tottenham are also reportedly keen on signing the 23-year-old defender. Brighton are set to demand a price that would mirror the fee they sold Ben White for to Arsenal last year. The interested clubs may have to shell upwards of £50 million to convince the Seagulls to offload the Spanish international.
Manchester City certainly have the financial prowess to make the deal, and the Citizens are set to table an opening offer for Cucurella. Fabrizio Romano claims talks could reach an advanced stage if the proposal is deemed fit.
Cucurella could further develop his game, and working under Guardiola would be the perfect decision for his career. How much Brighton demand for the 23-year-old Spanish international remains to be seen, although, as mentioned before, it could be upwards of £50 million.
