Benfica Offer Manchester City Alternative Left-Back Solution Amid Marc Cucurella Negotiations

In recent weeks, Manchester City have been firmly focused in their pursuit of Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella.

The south coast club market their star defender in the region of £50 million, citing Arsenal's successful pursuit of centre-back Ben White last year as the reason behind their valuation.

In the most recent development concerning negotiations, Etihad Stadium officials lodged a £30 million bid for the Spaniard, which was unsurprisingly rejected by the Seagulls last week.

With negotiations between the two sides still ongoing, Manchester City have started to identify other full-backs to take the spot of Oleksandr Zinchenko - who departed the Blues for Arsenal for a reported £32 million.

The first back-up to Brighton's Catalan talent could be Gerardo Arteaga from Belgian side KRC Genk, whom the Blues are reported to be interested in.

The Mexican defender has made 51 appearances for his club, while also making a further 15 appearances for the Mexican National team, with his most recent appearance coming in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Etihad Stadium officials are not alone in their interest in Arteaga, as clubs from the Premier League and La Liga are also keeping a keen eye on the player.

However, Manchester City have now been given an offer from Benfica to sign full-back Alex Grimaldo.

Alex Grimaldo

This is according to Mark Douglas of i Paper, who reports that a deal between the two sides could be completed for as little as £15 million - which is a far distance from what Brighton are asking for in talks concerning Marc Cucurella.

During the 2021/22 season, Grimaldo made 47 appearances for the Portuguese side - which included all of their games in the Champions League, where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Liverpool. 

The Spanish defender has enjoyed success during his time with Benfica, having helped the team to three Primeira Liga titles, one Portuguese League Cup Trophy, as well as three Portuguese Super Cups.

Alex Grimaldo

The 26-year-old is entering the last year of his contract with Benfica, after signing an extension in November 2019. 

Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus, and Barcelona are other teams that have reportedly been in contact with Benfica over the player, as reported by Ekrem Konur.

With competition for both Arteaga and Grimaldo, talks between the two sides may occur at a rapid pace if Manchester City wish to have a chance at signing either defender.

However, should all players - including Marc Cucurella - fail to move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, Pep Guardiola may still have alternative options.

The Catalan coach can of course still utilise Joao Cancelo at left-back, as he did during the previous season, as well as during Manchester City’s pre-season debut against Club America.

Joao Cancelo in pre-season action

Josh Wilson-Esbrand is also highly-rated by the Manchester City manager, and the academy star may just see his career skyrocket next season should events in the transfer market favour the teenager.