Manchester City

Manchester City

Premier League • England

Marc Cucurella: Man City launch improved second bid as Fabrizio Romano reveals new hope for Pep Guardiola

Marc Cucurella of Brighton and Hove Albion in action. Premier League match, Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park

Manchester City have reportedly made a second bid worth £40m for Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella.

Cucurella enjoyed a successful campaign with the club last season, having only joined in 2021 from Getafe. However, the Spaniard is clearly already prepared to move on, as it was reported earlier he had handed in a transfer request to the club. Now, City are hoping to utilise that request with a second improved offer.

That’s according to journalist Fabrizio Romano via CaughtOffside, who claims the second bid is worth £40m.

Prior to this, it is believed Man City’s highest offer was in the region of £30m. This improved offer shows how Pep Guardiola is very keen on landing the 24-year-old.

Nevertheless, the reigning champions may need to spend even more to convince Brighton to let their man go.

The Seagulls are still holding out for a fee of £50m, despite Cucurella making it known he wishes to move on.

Whether Man City are prepared to offer that much remains to be seen. The club have already spent big on Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez.

Romano does claim that Guardiola views Cucurella as an absolute priority. The club desperately want a new left-back, and are only currently looking at him as an option.

It is also reported that unless there are any dramatic departures, this will be City’s last bit of transfer business.

Marc Cucurella desperate to work under Pep Guardiola

It’s suggested the Spaniard is desperate to work alongside Guardiola. And given his playing style, it’s clear to see why.

Cucurella has an attacking style of play, and will thrive under Guardiola’s tactics.

Man City are also aware of how influential a strong full-back can be in the Premier League title race. In the Community Shield final against Liverpool, it was right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold that broke the deadlock for Jurgen Klopp.

Last season, Oleksandr Zinchenko was regularly used in the left-back position. However, his transfer to Arsenal leaves the club short of options.

And with Cucurella handing in a transfer request as well as Guardiola priortising him, it makes sense that this deal will go through eventually.

There is no doubt that Brighton value the defender highly, and therefore it seems like £50m will have to be spent on the tranfer.

But given Man City’s history of spending, it won’t come as a surprise to see them agree to this fee.

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