With the Marc Cucurella transfer saga appearing to slip out of Manchester City's control, the Blues are reportedly in talks to sign another young Spanish full-back who already possesses a City connection.
Brighton are holding firm on their £50million valuation of Cucurella, while City are refusing to improve on their offer of £40m. Talks have stalled between the two clubs and now Chelsea are reportedly close to signing the left-back.
Cucurella was at the top of Pep Guardiola's wish list, but now City will have to turn their attention elsewhere. One of those places is Belgium, with the Blues reportedly in talks to sign 21-year-old left-back Sergio Gomez from Anderlecht.
READ MORE: Man City are repeating Harry Maguire approach with Marc Cucurella and it could cost them
The Spain youth international enjoyed a successful 2021/22 season, winning the club's Player of the Season award after scoring seven goals and providing 15 assists in all competitions. Perhaps more interesting is that he played under Vincent Kompany, the City legend who left Anderlecht this summer to become the new manager at Burnley.
Kompany has incorporated some elements of Guardiola's coaching and tactical philosophy into his approach, meaning that Gomez could be well prepared for the Etihad. It is understood that Gomez is viewed by City as a high potential development player, so they are still looking to bring in a senior left-back.
Regardless, City fans on Twitter have been getting excited about the promise of a new City-Kompany connection.
@19Alvarez_: promising news me gusta
But not everyone is quite so keen...
@rhysconnor231: so he’ll be back up or be loaned out then
@sochiza: Gomez doesn't seem much more developed than Josh Wilson-Esbrand to me. Another midfielder turned LB. Good going forward, defending needs development. Just pay the £50m ffs...
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