Manchester City Preparing To Accelerate Marc Cucurella Pursuit Amid Oleksandr Zinchenko Departure

Manchester City are going to step up their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion star Marc Cucurella. 

Brighton are rumoured to have put a price tag of £50m on the Spaniard, with that being outside of Manchester City’s price range, according to Martin Blackburn.

The Etihad’s interest in acquiring a new left-back have been renewed after Ukrainian Captain Oleksandr Zinchenko closed in on a £30M move to Arsenal.

The 25 year-old is claimed to be “waiting for the green light” to depart the Premier League Champions and link up with Mike Artea’s side, who are also currently touring America.

If Zinchenko does end up leaving the club, as it stands, the Sky Blues would look set to revert to Joao Cencelo at left-back, a position in which the Portuguese star played 32 matches in during the 2021/22 season.

City’s other internal option is Nathan Ake, who will be staying at the Etihad for the upcoming season, despite intense interest from former club Chelsea.

With neither of City’s current options being a natural left-back, Cucurella may be their best bet. 

With the Seagulls, Cucurella placed within the top for tackles, interceptions and aerials won throughout the previous season. 

His impressive defensive performances throughout the campaign, led to the Catalan being named Brighton’s Player of the Season.

This transfer window isn’t the first time Pep Guardiola has been interested in the Spanish defender.

In 2017, Guardiola was apparently interested in signing Cucurella after he hadn’t penned a new deal with Barcelona. 

The interest isn’t completely one sided, as Cucurella expressed his affection for Manchester City during an interview in late May.

“If the opportunity arises, you have to take advantage of it.” said Cucurella.

 “There are teams that you can't say no to.”

If Zinchenko does end up leaving for £30M, perhaps the transfer fee will be enough for the Etihad to meet Brighton’s demands or even offer some room for negotiations. Regardless, Guardiola would be in need of a natural left-back unless he is comfortable using a rotation of Cancelo and Ake throughout the new season.