Pep Guardiola Breaks Silence On Marc Cucurella Pursuit After Brighton Player Handed In Transfer Request

Pep Guardiola has commented on Manchester City’s pursuit of Marc Cucurella. 

The Brighton left-back, who was sensationally reported to have handed in a transfer request on Friday, moved to the South Coast just 12 months ago, in a £15 million move from Getafe. 

Cucurella was named Brighton’s Player of the Season after an impressive maiden campaign in the Premier League, where the Spaniard scored one goal and registered two assists. 

Manchester City, who begin their 2022/23 domestic campaign against Liverpool in the FA Community Shield on Saturday, saw a £30 million bid for the 24 year-old rejected last week. 

The Sky Blues and the Seagulls are widely claimed to have hit an impasse in negotiations, with Brighton holding out for £50 million - £10 million more than the Champions’ reported valuation of the player. 

City, who have also been linked with Borna Sosa and Alex Grimaldo, were on Thursday reportedly ‘close’ to walking away from negotiations for the 24 year-old. 

On Friday, Fabrizio Romano reported that Cucurella had handed in an official transfer request, with the Catalan keen on signing for the Premier League Champions this summer. 

Ahead of the Blues’ Community Shield clash with Liverpool, Pep Guardiola played down reports linking his side with the Brighton full-back.

"He's a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else," said Pep Guardiola.

Asked more widely about the Blues' plans to sign a new left-back this summer, the 51 year-old replied: "If it's possible, yes, if it's not we stay. Joao can play there, Josh, Nathan. I never complain about the squad I have since the first season. What the club can do is the benefit for the club not me. I support the club."

Cucurella made 38 appearances for Brighton last season, as Graham Potter’s side secured a top-half finish. 

Pep Guardiola has seen a major refresh of his title winning squad, with Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko all moving to rivals. 

Jesus and Zinchenko completed transfers to Arsenal, while Sterling ended his seven-year stay at the Etihad after moving to Stamford Bridge in a £47.5 million transfer.

Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega have all completed moves to the Etihad Stadium, with all four in contention to feature on Saturday in the Community Shield. 

All four new signings featured during the Sky Blues' recent pre-season tour of the United States, where Guardiola's side beat both Club America and Bayern Munich.

Marquee summer sighing Erling Haaland scored 12 minutes into his debut last Saturday, scoring the only goal of the match against the Bundesliga Champions in Green Bay, Wisconsin.