Chelsea in talks with Brighton for Marc Cucurella
Chelsea could land the Spanish defender after Manchester City failed to match Brighton’s asking price.
Chelsea are in talks to sign Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion. Cucurella was previously a target for Manchester City, however, Brighton ended their conversations with City and will only accept an offer for the attacking full-back that meets their asking price.
There is currently no agreement yet between Chelsea and Brighton but talks are ongoing. The former Getafe player handed in a transfer request on Friday, though Brighton’s stance remained firm as they look for a fee in the region of €59.5m ($60.8m), as per The Athletic. Cucurella would be a replacement for Marcos Alonso if he eventually leaves Stamford Bridge.
🚨 Chelsea in talks to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton. No agreement yet between clubs but conversations ongoing. #CFC targeting 24yo left-back following Man City reluctance to meet £50m+ price, which #BHAFC won’t drop. @TheAthleticUK after @CraigHope_DM https://t.co/Ln3h3XYgCf
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 1, 2022
Chelsea aiming to boost defence
Chelsea are also working on deals to sign defenders Wesley Fofana (Leicester City) and Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan).
City lose out
Manchester City decided against paying Brighton’s asking price for Cucurella. After the sale of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, João Cancelo has been left as the only left-back at City, who thought they had found the missing piece in Cucurella.
City are reportedly interested in Borna Sosa, a full-back who has excelled in the Bundesliga and who would cost no more than 30 million euros.
The Premier League champions also looking at another player brought up in La Masia, Alejandro Grimaldo. The Catalan defender made 48 appearances for Benfica last season, scoring six goals, and this is not the first time he has been linked with a top club.