‘Pep being Pep’, ‘He’s joining us’ – Man City fans react to Guardiola comments on Cucurella’s transfer request

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City remain active in the transfer market and they intend to recruit a new left-back this summer.

Earlier this month, the Citizens allowed versatile Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko to reunite with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal in a deal worth around £32m.

Guardiola has since identified Brighton & Hove Albion’s Marc Cucurella as his top target for the remainder of the summer window, although the 24-year-old may come at a hefty price.

City are understood to have seen a £30m bid for Cucurella rejected by Brighton, who value the Spaniard closer to £50m.

Negotiations between the two clubs remain ongoing, although there is still believed to be some distance between both parties regarding the player’s valuation.

Cucurella is thought to be disappointed with the asking price placed on his head by Brighton, and a recent report claims that the defender has now handed in a transfer request to try to force through a move from the Seagulls to the Etihad Stadium.

While Guardiola has stated that he is happy with his current crop of players, the Spaniard has revealed that the club will pursue a deal to sign a left-back this summer if it is “possible” to do so.

When questioned about Cucurella by reporters at a press conference on Friday ahead of Man City’s Community Shield clash with Liverpool, Guardiola said: “He’s a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else.

“If it’s possible (to sign a left-back), yes, if it’s not we stay. Joao [Cancelo] can play there, Josh [Wilson-Esbrand], Nathan [Ake]. 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.”

These Guardiola’s comments on Cucurella’s transfer was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Pep being Pep 😭”
Credit: @Mo_Aziz17

“Didn’t expect anything else from pep.”
Credit: @izmcfc

“Typical pep.”
Credit: @MRifqiFarisi

“He’s joining us.”
Credit: @NzeYWB

“That mean he is gonna be our player ”
Credit: @Tharon99133068

“When pep says this you know there’s something going on behind the scenes 😂.”
Credit: @sam_mci04

“So that means he’s coming .”
Credit: @DomBmcfc

Pep knows Cucurella will soon come. #FreeCucurella pic.twitter.com/dw4mAmb8pM

— James (@JMC_OfficiaI) July 29, 2022