A final decision on Marc Cucurella's future is said to be made in the coming week as Manchester City make a final effort to sign the Brighton defender, according to a new report.
The 24-year-old has handed in a transfer request to engineer a switch to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City have seen their opening offer worth £30 million rejected by the Seagulls, who are believed to be wanting at least £50 million for the full-back.
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City have already signed Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega this summer as part of a major squad revamp ahead of the new season.
Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are amongst those who have been sold whilst Fernandinho has departed the club after nine years of outstanding service.
Left back has been a key area City have been looking to address in recent seasons as they pursue a move for Marc Cucurella in the final month of the transfer window.
Brighton have remained tough in their stance of not entertaining anything less than their asking price for Cucurella, who has four years left on his current deal in the south coast.
The Catalan joined the Seagulls for a fee just north of £15 million from Getafe last summer and has since risen as one of the most exciting full-backs across Europe.
Cucurella is understood to have implored Brighton executives to allow him to join the Premier League champions and lower their asking price.
The Seagulls' £50 million valuation is considered unrealistic by the left-back, who is excited by the prospect of working under Pep Guardiola and competing for major trophies at the Etihad Stadium.
However, reports have cited Brighton are unlikely to shift in their stance despite Cucurella evidently pushing for the move.
It remains to be seen what the remainder of the window holds for City and Cucurella as the Premier League champions make a final attempt to agree a fee with Brighton for the Spaniard.
According to the latest information of Fabrizio Romano, a final decision on Cucurella's future will be made next week as City consider the Brighton star a priority and have held off from progressing to alternatives.
Cucurella considers working with Pep Guardiola as a 'dream' and is agitating for a move to materalise - a year into his switch to the Amex Stadium.
It is believed Brighton will not entertain any incremental bid increases after making it clear to City they will only sell Cucurella for their asking price.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Marc Cucurella, Brighton And Hove Albion, Fabrizio Romano, Pep Guardiola
Vayam Lahoti