Brighton’s stance on Marc Cucurella revealed after rejecting Man City’s opening bid of £30M

Brighton have strengthened their resolve to keep Marc Cucurella, despite the player desperately wanting to sign for Pep Guardiola’s side.

City want to sign a left-back after selling Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, but Brighton have set an asking price of £50m for Cucurella.

The Spaniard has made a huge impact since joining Graham Potter’s side for £15.4m from Getafe last year. The player, who turns 24 on Friday, quickly adapted to English football and City have made him one of their top targets.

Cucurella is understood to be interested in joining the champions and there is a feeling that the deal will go through. However, City hope to pay less than £50m and there is a chance that they could walk away if Brighton hold firm on their valuation of a player who has four years on his deal.

According to Andy Naylor via The Athletic UK, Brighton have strengthened their resolve to keep Marc Cucurella unless Man City meet their £50M+ asking price.

Andy Naylor states that Man City’s opening bid of £30M was regarded at the Amex Stadium as laughable. Talks are ongoing over the future of the left-back.

As per the Journalist, Sources at Brighton believe it is highly unlikely that Man City will meet their valuation for Marc Cucurella. Brighton have also pushed back at suggestions on social media that Cucurella is unhappy or unsettled by the club’s stance.

If City are unwilling to pay £50million for Marc Cucurella then they may be forced to look at cheaper options, such as Grimaldo, Sosa and Gerardo, who has all been recently linked with a move to the Etihad.

The next few weeks will likely prove to be decisive in City’s pursuit of a new left-back. It remains to be seen whether they opt to get closer to Brighton’s valuation of Cucurella or move on to cheaper alternatives.

Pep Guardiola on Friday spoke on how they would cope if a deal for a left-back didn’t materialize, stating Nathan Ake can play there along with academy player Wilson-Ebrand.

Cucurella however is Guardiola’s number one target, and the City manager would be happy to get that deal over the line ahead of the new season.

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