Manchester City Stand Firm In Marc Cucurella Approach With Deal Now In Jeopardy

Manchester City could walk away from negotiations for Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella.

As the new Premier League season fast approaches, Pep Guardiola suddenly faces the prospect of being without a recognised left-back, following the emergence of a new report.

The Premier League Champions, who sold Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal for an initial £30 million, had been targeting Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella as their number one replacement.

Cucurella had an outstanding debut season on the South Coast, being named the Seagulls' Player of the Season following his £15 million move from La Liga side Getafe.

The Spanish full-back is widely claimed to be keen on moving to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

City saw a £30 million bid for the 24 year-old rejected last week, and according to The Athletic, both parties are still someway apart in their valuation of the player.

Brighton's insistence on achieving £50 million for the Catalan defender has reportedly led to the Sky Blues being 'close' to walking away from the negotiating table.

Pol Ballus writes that the Premier League Champions are willing to pay up to £40 million for the left-back, but are close to exiting discussions and exploring alternative options.

City have also been linked with Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, with the Blues 'growing increasingly confident' of signing the 26 year-old according to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star.

Talks between Manchester City and Brighton are expected to continue in the coming days, as both parties seek to break the impasse which has been hit.

Cucurella made 38 appearances for Graham Potter's side last season, and the South Coast club had even attempted to agree new terms with the Spaniard earlier this summer.

The Athletic further report that the 24 year-old has expressed his desire to move to the North West to both the Brighton boss and board.

On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano reported that the left-backs agents were on the South Coast to negotiate, with talks set to continue.

Pep Guardiola's side begin their Premier League title defence away to West Ham United at the London Stadium in less than two weeks time.

City have already added Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Julian Alvarez and Stefan Ortega to their squad this summer.

Guardiola has seen a major refresh of title his winning squad, with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling also completing transfers to Premier League rivals.