Manchester City have been given a major boost in their pursuit of signing Brighton's Marc Cucurella after the left-back handed in a transfer request on Friday morning.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a big-money move to the Etihad Stadium this summer after impressing during his debut campaign in the Premier League. City are looking to replace Oleksandr Zinchenko with Cucurella after the Ukrainian joined Arsenal last week for a fee in the region of £32m.
According to The Sun, Cucurella has lodged a transfer request as he hopes to force through a move to City, who lifted their fourth Premier League title in five seasons back in May. The two clubs are still far apart on the price and negotiations are becoming difficult due to Cucurella's valuation.
The final decision on Cucurella's future is expected to be announced soon - with just over a week to go until the start of the Premier League season. Brighton travel to Manchester United, while City face West Ham on August 7.
The Daily Mail reported in the early hours on Friday that City are 'threatening' to walk away from talks with Brighton for Cucurella. The reigning Premier League champions previously made a £30million bid for the Spaniard and the Seagulls rejected it as they value him at £50m.
City deem that valuation to be too high even though Cucurella is keen on the move. Meanwhile, Brighton have offered the player an improved contract to stay at the club, but he sees his long-term future at City.
Cucurella made 35 appearances for Brighton last season, chipping in with one goal and two assists as the Seagulls finished ninth - the highest they have ever ended up in the top-flight. He signed a five year contract, and the Seagulls have ambitions to hold onto their man for a little while longer - unless City stump up.
Will Marc Cucurella end up at Man City this season? Let us know in the comments below!
Brighton boss Graham Potter provided an update on Cucurella's future after their friendly against Reading last weekend. "Yes, he (Cucurella) is happy," Potter said in an interview with the Argus.
"It is not easy because there's speculation. He is a human being and that is the challenge with footballers when the window is open, you get linked with this and that.
"It is what it is. We have a lot of respect for Marc, we like him a lot and we are just helping him enjoy his football."
City's alternative targets at left back include Benfica's Alex Grimaldo and Stuttgart's Borna Sosa. The former was also been linked with a move to Arsenal, before Zinchenko's switch.
