(Football news) Brighton have rejected Manchester City’s opening bid of £30m for left-back Marc Cucurella, demanding £50m for the 23 year old. The Spaniard joined Brighton from Getafe last summer for a fee of £15m and has enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League. The player has four years remaining on his existing contract and Brighton are reluctant to let Cucurella leave unless a huge offer is presented for the player. 

Reigning champions Manchester City have been operating without a natural left-back since Benjamin Mendy was arrested last summer. Oleksandr Zinchenko has operated in the role a fair few times but the Ukrainian has transferred to Arsenal while Joao Cancelo has done a commendable job in the position, even being named in the PFA Team of the Year last season by his peers but the Portuguese footballer is more suited to right back. 

Cucurella could be the answer to Manchester City’s problems as the Spaniard has adapted to life in the Premier League very well, being named Brighton's Player of the Season for 2021/22 and helping the club get their highest ever finish in history. It remains to be seen if City will match Brighton’s valuation for Cucurella, especially before their first league match against West Ham on Sunday August 7. City will face their local rivals Manchester United on October 1st at the Etihad Stadium before travelling to face Liverpool on October 15th. They will face Brentford on November 12th before the winter World Cup and will resume their season on Boxing Day against Leeds. 

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