Manchester City are set to open the bidding for Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, with ‘advanced talks’ to come in the next few days, as per the reliable Fabrizio Romano.
The Cityzens have been short on the left side of defence since Benjamin Mendy’s court case came to light in October, and with question marks over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko, there is a clear void in Pep Guardiola’s squad despite their fourth title win in five seasons in May.
As a result, they have set their gaze on one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League, in the form of Spanish full-back Cucurella. A former La Masia graduate, the 23-year-old joined the Seagulls from Getafe just last summer, and was voted Brighton’s player of the season in his maiden campaign, appearing 34 times for Graham Potter’s side.
It is unclear how much he will set the Cityzens back, but Brighton are expected to turn a tidy profit on the player that they paid just £16m for 12 months ago.
Excl: Manchester City are now set to submit opening proposal to Brighton for Marc Cucurella. First bid ready to proceed in advanced talks in the next days. 🚨🇪🇸 #MCFC
Cucurella is still Man City top target as left back, Pep Guardiola really wants him. Work in progress. pic.twitter.com/SyJiwh0pk7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2022
He would become Manchester City’s second summer signing, following Erling Haaland to the Etihad stadium.
Mahrez contract talks planned
Meanwhile, as per Caught Offside, the Blues are ready for talks with Riyad Mahrez over a new contract in Manchester, with the Algerian’s current deal running out in 2023.
City are already set to lose Gabriel Jesus this summer, while Raheem Sterling could also depart should a suitable offer be made, with both down to the final 12 months on their contracts.
Mahrez, however, is not one that the club plan on letting depart, and the report claims that ‘Man City will speak with the player to understand the contractual situation in the coming weeks’, with hopes of the 31-year-old signing a new deal.
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